Southeast Georgia counties preparing for potential data center development

Southeast Georgia communities are actively addressing potential data center developments. In Kingsland, the City Council is set to discuss a 90-day moratorium on data centers on May 11, following an ordinance passed in March that established requirements and restrictions for these facilities. Concurrently, the City's Planning and Zoning Board will hear a rezoning request on May 4 for agricultural land to be converted to light industrial, specifically to allow for a data center near I-95 and GA 40. Emily Floore, the St. Marys Riverkeeper, has been engaging residents to raise awareness about environmental concerns, including potential impacts on the St. Marys River watershed and local water resources from data center water withdrawals. She also highlighted that Georgia Power's rate increases have subsidized the energy demands of data centers, an issue she believes consumers are fronting. Floore emphasized the need for strong community input and robust guardrails to protect local resources. Further north, Glynn County is also grappling with data center issues. Voters are encountering questions about data centers on their primary ballots, with the Republican Party asking if data centers would significantly lower property taxes, and the Democratic Party questioning if electric bills should increase to support data center power usage. Courtlyn Cook, chair of the Glynn County GOP and a member of the Island Planning Commission, stated these questions are for informational purposes to gauge voter sentiment on potential benefits like property tax reduction. These ballot initiatives follow the Glynn County Board of Commissioners' approval of new zoning ordinances in April, which now allow data centers only through a special use permit, requiring approval from both the planning commission and the board of commissioners. Cook noted that this process provides avenues for public input and allows for future amendments to the regulations.