Bryan County says no to data center developer
The Development Authority of Bryan County rejected a proposed land sale to LN Compute for a 30-megawatt artificial intelligence and high-performance computing data center in Richmond Hill. The project would have required zoning approval or an appeal because data centers are not an allowed use under the applicable development plans.
The Development Authority of Bryan County declined to sell LN Compute approximately 19 acres at Belfast Commerce Park in Richmond Hill for a proposed 30-megawatt AI and high-performance computing data center. The facility was projected to represent a $150 million investment and create 20 permanent jobs, with closed-loop liquid cooling and no municipal water use for cooling or groundwater withdrawals.
Development Authority CEO Ryan Purvis said the board reached a consensus not to sell the property after an executive session and that the authority is not pursuing data center projects. Richmond Hill planning officials told LN Compute that the proposed use was not allowed under the 2013 Belfast Commerce planned unit development and would require review by the Board of Zoning Appeals or City Council. Because the authority declined to authorize the land sale, LN Compute could not proceed with a zoning application for the site.