Residents concerned Calhoun city attorney has conflict of interest on data centers
Residents have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the Calhoun city attorney, Brandon Bowen, who spoke in favor of creating a special district for data centers in Paulding County. Bowen's advocacy occurred before the Paulding County Planning Commission, despite his role as an attorney for Calhoun City. The situation has drawn attention from community members regarding the ethical implications of his actions.
Residents have expressed significant concern regarding a potential conflict of interest involving Calhoun city attorney Brandon Bowen. Bowen appeared before the Paulding County Planning Commission in August 2025, advocating for the establishment of a special zoning district to permit data centers in an area of the county that currently encompasses residential, agricultural, light industrial, and business zoning.
Community members, including Andrew Bentley and his daughter Josie, have publicly raised questions about the propriety of a city attorney from Calhoun promoting data center development in a separate county. The article, a subscriber-exclusive from the Chattanooga Times Free Press, indicates that the concerns were voiced during a city council meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Calhoun Depot. The heart of the issue lies in the potential ethical dilemma posed by Bowen's dual roles and his active support for a development initiative outside of his immediate jurisdiction.