Lt. Gov. Burt Jones addresses data center eminent domain claims in Butts County

During a campaign stop in northeast Georgia, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones addressed local concerns, including claims of eminent domain related to a data center project in his home county of Butts County. Jones unequivocally denied that eminent domain was utilized for the data center, stating that the developer across the road sold land to Amazon over two years ago without any government seizure. He labeled the claims as "ridiculous" and part of a "deceptive campaign" against him, emphasizing his personal opposition to eminent domain based on past experiences fighting utility companies.

The discussion also touched upon an unrelated Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project, the SR36 connector, which is reportedly attempting to condemn land belonging to an 82-year-old woman named Ruth Mitchell in the same county. Jones indicated familiarity with the GDOT project, noting it was discussed a decade ago and has recently begun, but claimed he was unaware of efforts to condemn an elderly person's land, asserting that no houses are affected, only wetlands property. He referenced a local volunteer organization, "Partners for Smart Growth," which consists of citizens and on whose board he served.