Former Greenwood council chairman says moratorium cost county potential $4 billion data center project

Former Greenwood County Council Chairman Theo Lane said a potential $4 billion data center project shifted to Greenville County after the Greenwood County Council approved a 12-month moratorium on data center development in a 4-3 vote. Lane estimated the project could have generated roughly $60 million annually in tax revenue, but the Index-Journal could not independently verify the developer, the negotiations or whether the project formally moved.

Lane made the claims during a presentation with Economic Development Director James Bateman to the Ware Shoals School District 51 Board of Trustees. Lane criticized residents who opposed data centers and alleged that council members had faced threats, though the newspaper found no evidence connecting the threats to an organized group or foreign influence campaign.

The moratorium remains in effect while an ad hoc committee considers regulations for future data center projects. Councilman Robbie Templeton said during the vote that no data center projects or agreements were actively under consideration, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Lane's account.