Lowndes County Commission approves tax agreement for proposed Burkeville data center
The Lowndes County Commission voted 3-2 to approve a project development and tax abatement agreement with Cloverleaf Infrastructure for the proposed Project Red Clay hyperscale data center in Burkeville. The project faced public opposition and concerns over its projected electricity use of up to 1,500 megawatts and potential impacts on groundwater and surface-water resources.
The Lowndes County Commission approved a project development agreement and 20-year, 50% tax abatement package for Cloverleaf Infrastructure’s proposed Project Red Clay hyperscale data center in Burkeville. Commissioners Robert Harris, Fletcher Hayes and Chairman Charlie King Jr. supported the resolution, while Dickson Farrior and Joseph Barganier opposed it.
The decision followed public criticism of the project’s tax incentives and limited opportunity for public comment. District Judge Adrian Johnson said the abatements could amount to $2.4 billion in foregone county tax revenue, while Southern Environmental Law Center staff attorney Ryan Anderson raised concerns that the facility could require up to 1,500 megawatts of electricity and draw on groundwater and surface-water resources. The commission also approved a special meeting to consider additional Project Red Clay matters.