Commission pushes through data center deal approval
The Lowndes County Commission voted 3-2 to approve a development and tax-abatement agreement with Cloverleaf Infrastructure for a proposed hyperscale data center in Burkeville. The project has faced public opposition and concerns about its projected electricity use, groundwater and surface-water impacts, and tax incentives.
The Lowndes County Commission approved a project development agreement and tax-abatement deal with Cloverleaf Infrastructure for Project Red Clay, a proposed hyperscale data center in Burkeville. Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor, with Robert Harris, Fletcher Hayes and Chairman Charlie King Jr. supporting the resolution and Dickson Farrior and Joseph Barganier opposing it.
The agreement would provide 20-year, 50% abatements on ad valorem, construction and sales taxes. Southern Environmental Law Center staff attorney Ryan Anderson raised concerns that the facility could require up to 1,500 megawatts of electricity and draw from groundwater and surface-water sources. The vote followed public outcry, but Chairman King limited public comments because the commission had to vacate the courtroom for circuit court proceedings.