Douglas County data center sparks resident pushback
A large, 700-acre data center project proposed for western Douglas County, Georgia, is facing significant resident opposition over concerns about noise, water usage, and utility rates. Residents are preparing to voice their concerns at an upcoming public hearing at the Douglas County Courthouse.
A substantial 700-acre data center complex proposed by East Village Dothan, LLC for western Douglas County, Georgia, is encountering considerable resistance from local residents. The site, located near the I-20 Liberty Road exit and the Carroll County line, is intended for a five-building data center project.
Residents have raised significant concerns regarding potential noise levels, water consumption, and the impact on local utility rates, expressing skepticism about claims from Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission that data center revenue will lower power bills. Conversely, the developer asserts the project will create 200 to 300 permanent jobs and that the site will feature modern cooling systems to minimize water usage, alongside buffer zones and nature trails. This pushback echoes similar protests in nearby Paulding and Haralson counties, and follows a recently extended data center moratorium in Carroll County.
Douglas County, already home to 11 active data centers, is preparing for a crucial public hearing where residents can formally present their arguments and questions to county officials. The outcome of the vote following this debate remains uncertain as community sentiment is divided between outright opposition and conditional acceptance.