Lowndes County Commission approves deal for proposed data center
The Lowndes County Commission approved a development agreement with Cloverleaf Infrastructure for the proposed Project Red Clay data center. Residents raised concerns about water use, noise, property values and communication, while the developer said the agreement will clarify the project and could allow construction to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
The Lowndes County Commission reached a development agreement with Cloverleaf Infrastructure for the proposed Project Red Clay data center, moving the project closer to construction. Cloverleaf CEO David Barry said the facility could create about 225 permanent jobs, including positions that would not require a college degree, and that the company is considering local hiring.
Residents who spoke at recent commission meetings expressed opposition and questioned the project's potential effects on water consumption, noise, property values and the local economy. Some also criticized the county's communication about the proposal and said the project could make homes more difficult to sell. Barry said the agreement will establish a clearer blueprint for the facility, including its water and sound impacts, and that construction could begin as early as the first quarter of 2027.