Bulloch commissioners reject data center prohibition, deny Highway 24 liquor store

Bulloch County commissioners voted 4-3 to reject a proposed text amendment that would have effectively prohibited data centers in unincorporated areas of the county. The vote, held during a lengthy Sept. 1 meeting, means an existing moratorium on data center development will remain in effect through December 31.

Planning and Development Director James Pope stated that staff had prepared the amendment at the commissioners' direction. During the discussion, both supporters and opponents of the prohibition voiced concerns. Those in favor of the ban cited issues like water, power, noise, impact on property values, and limited job creation. Conversely, opponents argued that the county should use the moratorium period to establish measurable regulations for construction, water use, noise, and electrical infrastructure, pointing to potential tax revenue benefits. Commissioner Nick Newkirk shared findings from a self-funded trip to a data center complex in Memphis, Tennessee, including sound readings and photographs of infrastructure.

Chairman David Bennett cast the deciding vote against the prohibition, expressing concerns that an outright ban could expose the county to legal challenges, though he acknowledged not believing Bulloch County needed a large-scale data center. He suggested that most issues could be mitigated by restricting facilities to appropriate industrial areas and adopting strict regulations. Following the vote, commissioners unanimously approved the establishment of a 21-member data center working group, with each commissioner appointing three members. This group will study data center issues and make recommendations, with the possibility of extending the moratorium beyond its December 31 expiration date after legal consultation.