Thor Equities Presents Preliminary Kingston, Georgia, Data Center Plans as Residents Raise Concerns
Thor Equities executive Peter McEneaney presented preliminary plans for a proposed data center at the Kingston Technology Hub during a crowded Kingston City Council meeting. Residents voiced strong concerns about water use, wells, noise and rural character, while the project remains in its early stages and would require rezoning.
Peter McEneaney, vice president of development and construction at Thor Equities, told the Kingston City Council that the company is exploring a roughly 559-acre site for the Kingston Technology Hub in Bartow County. The proposal calls for one data center building of approximately 350,000 to 360,000 square feet, with Thor estimating about $2 million in annual tax revenue for Kingston along with additional economic benefits.
The project is still in its infancy, and site-specific planning has not begun. Thor Acquisition WC LLC filed a Development of Regional Impact notice with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and the property would need to be rezoned to allow a special permit for data center use.
A large crowd attended the meeting, and several residents spoke against or sought more information about the development. Residents including Stephanie Brown, Garrett Gore and Lynn Elrod raised concerns about groundwater and well quality, while others questioned potential noise and the effect on Kingston’s rural character. Anti-data-center yard signs were distributed outside City Hall, and residents called for a separate town hall meeting.