Floyd County officials weigh data center development, regulatory options

Floyd County, Georgia, is grappling with the prospect of data center development, viewing it as both an economic opportunity and a potential risk. County Commissioner Allison Watters highlights the appeal of increased tax revenue to alleviate property tax burdens, stating that the county has conducted its due diligence and will not offer tax incentives to data center companies, expecting them to 'pay their way.' Despite the potential benefits, officials share public concerns about the vast water and electricity consumption of data centers. They acknowledge they cannot outright ban a legal industry but are exploring regulatory options. This includes amending the Unified Land Development Code to restrict data center locations, set property line setbacks, buffers, and lighting conditions. Rome City Attorney Andy Davis confirmed that any negotiations for water usage would be public, and the Rome Water and Sewer Division Director John Boyd stated that no business would receive preferential treatment over citizens for water access. The county is also considering a temporary moratorium on data centers, similar to past actions taken for coin-operated amusement machines (COAMs), to allow time to study legal options and establish appropriate regulations. This approach is informed by the experiences of other counties, such as Prince William County, Virginia, where public opposition led to the abandonment of the large Prince William Digital Gateway project. Science for Georgia executive director Amy Sharma advised counties to negotiate assertively with data center developers, securing bankruptcy protections and clear agreements on infrastructure to safeguard community interests.