Port Wentworth residents call for pause on data center proposals

Residents in Port Wentworth, Chatham County, are actively pushing for a temporary moratorium on future data center approvals, citing concerns over infrastructure strain, water usage, power grid demands, and environmental impacts. This renewed call occurred during a recent city council meeting, where residents and environmental advocates urged leaders to pause development and implement stronger protections.

This follows a December 2025 decision by the Port Wentworth City Council to approve a zoning amendment that defines and regulates data centers within the city, a move that also faced significant public opposition. Patrick Donovan, a Port Wentworth resident and planning and zoning board member, emphasized the need for clear rules before allowing data centers, while resident Debbie Wiley demanded that data centers bear all infrastructure upgrade costs, not taxpayers.

Despite the council having previously approved the ordinance as a regulatory measure, community members remain worried about the long-term effects on the city's resources and the potential for increased utility bills for residents.