Bartow County’s sole commissioner discusses data centers
Bartow County Commissioner Steve Taylor discussed the growth of data centers, noting two projects are underway with more planned, while emphasizing a limit to preserve agriculture. He addressed misconceptions regarding water usage and noise, asserting that data centers contribute significant revenue and high-paying jobs without excessive resource drain. A moratorium on data center projects was approved in neighboring Floyd County.
Bartow County Commissioner Steve Taylor provided insights into the proliferation of data centers, noting two projects are currently underway with an additional two or three in the pipeline. Commissioner Taylor indicated that five or six data centers might be the county's limit to balance revenue generation with the preservation of agricultural land. He highlighted the significant revenue potential and high-paying jobs these facilities offer to local communities, suggesting it could enable a 100 percent homestead exemption on property taxes.
Taylor addressed common public misconceptions, particularly concerning water consumption. He clarified that Bartow County's water withdrawal from Lake Allatoona is well below its permitted 37 million gallons, and data centers are required to use closed-loop water recirculation systems to minimize usage. He also refuted noise concerns, stating that facilities like one he visited in Douglasville produce no discernible external noise as operations are contained within buildings. Power usage, Taylor noted, is a decision for providers like Georgia Power, MEAG, and electric cities, not local government.
The discussion also referenced a recent development in a neighboring county, where the Floyd County Commission approved an 80-day moratorium on data center projects in June. Bartow County's commission has only voted once on a data center-related matter, a rezoning issue in the Coosa area, with no outcome specified. Potential future sites in Floyd County and the City of Rome were also mentioned.