Alabama mayor addresses proposed data center concerns
A proposed data center in Childersburg remains under consideration, with the city weighing the sale of more than 1,000 acres at a former Superfund industrial site. Residents are concerned about pollution, transparency, local hiring and whether utility rate increases are connected to the project; the mayor says the rate increases are unrelated and that negotiations with Alabama Power are ongoing.
Childersburg Mayor Ken Wesson said the city is still considering selling more than 1,000 acres at the Childersburg Industrial Park to a private developer for a proposed data center. The site formerly housed a military ammunition and explosives plant and was placed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund National Priorities List in the 1980s because of hazardous waste. Wesson cited President Donald Trump's support for repurposing retired Superfund brownfields for data centers as one reason the project is being considered.
Residents and at least one city councilor expressed frustration that key details remain unavailable, including the identity of the operator and whether projected jobs would go to local workers. Resident Joseph Conlin raised concerns about potential pollution affecting nearby lakes and rivers. Wesson said the city is working with Alabama Power on a power-sourcing agreement and is awaiting end-user agreements before deciding whether to sell the land. He also denied that a recent $7 monthly water and sewer rate increase was related to the data center and said he had not signed a nondisclosure agreement concerning the proposal.