Community forum on data centers weigh growth, resources, and local control
A community forum in Statesboro examined the potential benefits and impacts of data center development in Bulloch County, including water use, electricity demand, zoning, jobs and local control. A representative of 4AM Development discussed the proposed Burkhalter Road project, which still requires a special use permit and could initially use 20 to 30 megawatts, below its 99-megawatt capacity ceiling.
About 50 Bulloch County residents attended a Georgia Southern University forum in Statesboro focused on how the community should approach data center development. Participants considered prohibiting data centers, allowing them under existing zoning or adopting stricter rules, while discussing potential economic benefits alongside concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, land use and public participation.
Charles Way of 4AM Development described the proposed Burkhalter Road project as a phased development on a 26.5-acre site, with less than 20 acres available for construction because of existing power lines and other constraints. The project must obtain a special use permit before advancing; its initial power request was 40 megawatts, with expected use of roughly 20 to 30 megawatts at startup and a possible increase over the following decade. Georgia Southern's final forum is scheduled for Oct. 27 at Luetta Moore Park in Statesboro.