Residents pack Lowndes County meeting over proposed data center

Residents of Lowndes County, Alabama, filled the Charles Smith Building to capacity for a meeting to discuss Project Red Clay, a proposed billion-dollar data center development. The large turnout saw additional people standing outside in the rain, indicating significant community interest and concern. Supporters of Project Red Clay highlighted its potential to bring jobs, long-term economic growth, and new tax revenue to the county, along with construction and permanent full-time positions. However, many residents expressed reservations, raising questions about potential environmental impacts, noise pollution, and infrastructure strain. They also voiced concerns about the adequacy of information provided to the community. Jeff Berry, an individual with over 30 years of experience building and operating data centers, spoke against the proposed location, asserting that local residents would be subjected to "acoustic roar" from cooling fans. He stated that the location is inappropriate for such a project. County leaders acknowledged that discussions regarding the project are still in their initial stages, and residents made it clear they intend to remain actively involved in the ongoing conversations.