Commissioners continue hearing data center opposition
Lowndes County residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center in Burkville, citing concerns about water usage, energy consumption, and quality of life. The Lowndes County Commission again delayed a vote on a tax abatement for the project amidst the public outcry. The hearing took place due to significant citizen attendance.
The Lowndes County Commission convened a public meeting on June 22 at the John "Big John" Williams Courthouse in Hayneville, Alabama, where a large number of residents and local leaders voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center development in Burkville. Speakers cited concerns about the potential impact on water usage, energy consumption, public health, and future growth within the county.
District Judge Adrian Johnson presented data on population density and growth patterns, questioning whether the data center would benefit Lowndes County in the long term and emphasizing the need to protect current residents. Other speakers, including Negatha Holt, Shirley McNamee, Kristen Harrell, Darren Russell, Felecia Williams, and Col. Mac McCurdy, echoed these sentiments. Russell specifically highlighted the developer's request for 100,000 gallons of water per day, while Williams expressed worries about energy consumption limiting future opportunities.
Commissioner Dickson Farrior reintroduced a motion from a previous meeting, seeking to deny any tax abatement for a data center unless it's for the final owner. However, Commissioner Robert Harris again moved to table the vote on this motion, which passed with a 3-to-2 vote. The commission's repeated delay on the tax break vote occurred in the context of persistent public outcry against the project.