Carroll County residents file ethics complaints related to data center information
Carroll County residents filed ethics complaints regarding a proposed 550-acre data center campus, alleging a lack of transparency and stonewalling by city officials. An ethics commission has launched a formal investigation, requesting documents and communication timelines from city officials and developers. Mayor Rob Adams has five days to provide the requested information.
Carroll County residents have filed formal ethics complaints concerning the proposed 550-acre data campus on Greensbottom Road. The complaints allege a lack of transparency and communication from local officials regarding the project. Residents Amy Wright and Laura Beth Austin expressed frustration, stating they felt "stonewalled" and unheard after numerous meetings, questioning why city officials did not disclose the project sooner.
The controversy stems from the City of Carrollton reportedly granting developer Poe Companies exclusive rights to purchase the land in July 2025, a full year before Mayor Rob Adams publicly acknowledged the project. Residents' attempts to obtain information through open records requests have been met with claims that information is missing. The city attorney has issued a statement asserting that the city has followed the law concerning the Greensbottom property and all record requests.
In response to these allegations, the Carroll County Ethics Commission, led by member Zach Spencer, has initiated a formal investigation into the alleged misconduct. The commission has requested a comprehensive communication timeline, including emails, texts, letters, meeting logs, and calendar invites, between representatives of the City of Carrollton (including Mayor Adams), Poe Companies, Powerhouse Data Centers, and American Real Estate Partners. Mayor Adams has been given five days to provide the requested documents.