Candler County commissioners discuss possible data center near Metter airport
Candler County officials are discussing a possible data center near the Metter Municipal Airport. The county has received an application, although required fees have not been paid, while the Planning Commission has proposed extending a temporary data center moratorium from nine to 12 months to evaluate impacts and develop regulations.
Candler County commissioners are providing details about early discussions involving a possible data center on land near Metter Municipal Airport. County Chairman Brad Jones said officials have met with the landowners and received an application, but the required fees have not been paid. Officials described the potential development as a smaller-footprint site with multiple buildings rather than a large-scale facility.
Jones said no one at the commissioners’ table had signed a nondisclosure agreement and that the public would have multiple opportunities to weigh in if the application advances. Separately, the Candler County Planning Commission voted to send a proposed temporary data center moratorium to the County Council and asked that the pause be extended from nine to 12 months. If approved, the moratorium would pause the acceptance, processing and approval of certain data center applications and permits while county officials define regulations and assess potential impacts.