Colleton County farmers fear impact of data centers, other residents see future investment
Colleton County, SC, has approved new rules for a digital infrastructure overlay district to guide data center development. While some residents view it as a vital financial investment, local farmers express strong opposition, citing concerns about water depletion and the impact on their agricultural land and way of life. The county currently has no permit applications submitted for data centers in the new district.
Colleton County, South Carolina, recently enacted new regulations establishing a "digital infrastructure overlay district" to guide future data center development within its borders. The county's decision has sparked a divided response among local residents, with some viewing data centers as a crucial economic boost while others, particularly farmers, express grave concerns.
Louis Buddy Lemacks, a local farmer whose land abuts the new overlay district, voiced significant apprehension about the impact on his farm and the region's natural environment. Lemacks specifically highlighted the ongoing drought conditions and fears that data centers' substantial water demands would deplete groundwater reserves, jeopardizing his ability to irrigate crops. He also warned of broader ecological and lifestyle impacts, asserting that the new "guardrails" set by the county are insufficient to protect the agricultural community.
Conversely, resident Kimber Santorella championed data centers as an essential source of tax revenue to revitalize the financially struggling county. Santorella argued that new investments are critical for improving local schools and providing opportunities for children, preventing them from needing to leave Colleton County for a better future.
As of now, Colleton County officials confirm that no permit applications for data centers have been submitted within the newly established overlay district, leaving the community grappling with the potential benefits and drawbacks of the incoming industry.