Jesup commissioners approve data center ordinance
Jesup commissioners voted 4-2 to approve an ordinance regulating data centers and cryptocurrency operations. The ordinance makes data centers a conditional use in light industrial districts and includes noise, emissions, lighting and water-efficient cooling requirements, but some residents and commissioners said it still favors developers or lacks sufficient protections.
The Jesup City Commission approved a data center and cryptocurrency operations ordinance by a 4-2 vote after residents spoke against the measure. The ordinance allows data centers as a conditional use in light industrial zoning districts and establishes standards for noise, exterior lighting, emissions and water-efficient cooling technology.
The ordinance comes as a data center project is being explored at the Wayne County Commerce Center in Jesup. Several residents argued that the rules do not impose strong enough limits, while another speaker supported data centers as part of nationwide economic growth. Mayor Ralph Hickox said amendments could still be made, although two commissioners criticized potential changes as being too favorable to developers.