Business costs, data centers, workforce discussed at GOP roundtable
State Republican officials and Coweta County business leaders met in Newnan to discuss economic challenges, including frustrations over permitting delays, rising costs, and workforce shortages. Data center development was a key topic, with officials and business leaders calling for clearer statewide guidelines to address local issues and evaluate incentive programs. The discussion highlighted the impact of regulations on construction costs and the need for more streamlined processes.
The Georgia Republican Party's "Build Georgia Statewide Roundtable Tour" made a stop in Newnan, bringing together state officials and Coweta County business leaders to discuss local economic and business issues. Key frustrations raised by business leaders included permitting delays, rising insurance costs, and workforce shortages, with data center development emerging as a significant point of discussion.
State Sen. Matt Brass and State Reps. Josh Bonner and David Jenkins participated, hearing feedback that consistent themes across the tour include permitting, regulation, and affordability. Construction industry representatives, such as Kett Harper, specifically noted that subdivision permitting in Coweta County takes significantly longer and costs more due to Atlanta Regional Commission stormwater requirements, a burden passed to homebuyers.
The controversial topic of data center development in Coweta County was a prominent feature of the discussion. Sen. Brass acknowledged the current situation as "a little bit of the Wild West" and called for clearer statewide guidelines to address local issues arising from data center growth. Rep. Jenkins questioned the effectiveness of state incentives for industries like data centers, urging a re-evaluation of whether such incentives truly benefit local communities. Harper suggested that state-level guidance could assist local officials in managing future data center proposals.
Other topics included workforce development, with calls for increased investment in vocational training, and concerns regarding healthcare costs and immigration policy's impact on labor. Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon emphasized that the tour aims to gather community feedback to inform effective policy decisions, with 13 additional roundtables scheduled across the state.