Jesup mayor explains why proposed data center is not a done deal
Jesup Mayor Ralph A. Hickox Jr. clarified that a proposed data center project in Wayne County, Georgia, is in its early stages and not a final deal. He addressed community concerns about water, noise, and power, while highlighting the potential for significant tax revenue, possibly even eliminating property taxes on owner-occupied homes. The project is currently undergoing an extensive due diligence process.
Jesup Mayor Ralph A. Hickox Jr. addressed residents regarding a proposed data center project in Wayne County, Georgia, clarifying that the development is in its initial due diligence phase and is not a finalized deal. In a recent Facebook post, Mayor Hickox indicated that a sales contract for an industrial park site is in place, contingent on an 18-month due diligence period and other factors.
Hickox emphasized that the Wayne County Industrial Development Authority is independently evaluating the project's potential benefits and risks. While expressing support for continued study, he sought to allay public concerns circulating on social media regarding potential impacts on the area's water supply, noise levels, residential power bills, and overall quality of life, stating that current information does not support these claims.
The mayor highlighted the project's potential to generate substantial new revenue for the community, suggesting it could even make the elimination of property taxes on owner-occupied homes a possibility, a benefit he believes warrants serious investigation. He stressed that this is not a guarantee but a significant potential benefit under consideration. Hickox encouraged residents to remain open-minded, ask questions, and allow the ongoing process to unfold, reiterating that the project is "at the beginning, not the end."