City of Westover hosting town hall on proposed data center Thursday night
The City of Westover, Alabama, is hosting a town hall regarding a proposed data center, following the unanimous passage of a six-month moratorium by city leaders. Residents have voiced concerns about potential air pollution, noise, and water contamination, particularly given the local reliance on well water. Mayor Bobby Pardue emphasized transparency and acknowledged the developer's disappointment with the moratorium, while also noting the potential for significant tax revenue.
The City of Westover, Alabama, is holding a town hall meeting tonight to discuss a proposed data center located along Highway 280. The project has sparked significant community interest and concern among residents of both Westover and nearby Harpersville, which shares a mailing address with the proposed site.
Residents like Shannon Van Denheuvel and Kari Geiger Denard have raised alarms about potential environmental impacts, including air pollution, noise, and water contamination. A primary worry centers on the data center's potential water consumption and its effects on local wells, which many residents depend on for their water supply.
Westover Mayor Bobby Pardue stated that the town hall, held at New Life Church, aims for transparency, encouraging residents to ask questions that city leaders, data center developers, Alabama Power, and water and sewer experts will answer honestly. This meeting follows the City Council's unanimous decision to enact a six-month moratorium on data center development to ensure the city is adequately prepared. Mayor Pardue noted the developer's disappointment with this action, but highlighted the potential for the two large, single-story data center buildings to generate substantial tax revenue for city projects and schools.
However, Mayor Pardue also posed a reflective question to residents, asking if the financial gains would outweigh the community's stress. The town hall is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., providing a forum for ongoing discussions about the project's long-term effects.