Data Center Moratorium Ends, Leaves Residents With Concerns
A 60-day moratorium on applications for artificial intelligence data centers in Lowndes County has ended, and county commissioners plan to release a draft ordinance governing where and how such facilities may be built. Residents opposing the potential project remain concerned about noise, light pollution, transparency and property values, while supporters cite potential jobs and revenue.
The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners ended a 60-day moratorium on applications for artificial intelligence data centers and announced that it will release a draft ordinance on Nov. 2. The proposed rules would identify suitable locations, establish buffer zones and address noise and light pollution. Residents will be able to comment at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting, with a final vote scheduled for Dec. 8.
The potential data center is associated with land near Valdosta’s Foxborough subdivision that was rezoned for light industrial use in 2025. Lowndes Citizens Against Data Centers organizer Michael Noll criticized what he described as a lack of transparency, while Mayor Scott Matheson expressed support for the opportunity if the county addresses infrastructure and transportation needs. Other residents, including VSU student Noelle Lundy, urged commissioners to oppose the project over anticipated community and property-value impacts.