Data center fight brings both parties together in Jasper County

Republican and Democratic Party leaders are organizing residents ahead of a public hearing over possible data center development near Monticello.

MONTICELLO, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Organizers of a public hearing to protest a Jasper County data center development say sources bound by nondisclosure agreements have indicated that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has targeted land in Jasper County and another site in Jackson, Georgia, for two new hyperscale data centers.

As concerns grow, Republican and Democratic Party leaders have united to inform and mobilize residents ahead of a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, at the Jasper County Courthouse.

The courthouse is located at 126 W. Greene St. on the square in Monticello.

According to information provided by organizers, the City of Monticello is attempting to annex three large parcels around the Mine Lake property.

Organizers say the proposed acquisition would allow the land to be rezoned from agricultural use to mixed use, including industrial use.

Residents petition county leaders

According to a news release, residents and business owners are petitioning the Jasper County Commission to block the land annexation by the City of Monticello.

They are also asking the county to immediately develop a strong ordinance and industrial development policy to prevent data centers from being built in Jasper County and to regulate the types of large-scale industrial development that can be built there.

The attached resolution asks the Monticello Planning Commission and Monticello City Council to prohibit the construction, operation, or expansion of data centers within the city limits or on property owned by the city.

The resolution also calls for restrictions on annexation, rezoning, special use permits, variances, development agreements, utility agreements, and other governmental actions intended to facilitate data center development.

The resolution raises concerns about water resources, utility infrastructure, electrical capacity, roads, wastewater capacity, public services, natural habitats, agricultural land, noise, light pollution, tax incentives, and the number of permanent jobs associated with data centers.

Public hearing set for Monday

Organizers say Republican and Democratic Party leaders have joined together to oppose any data center being built in Jasper County or Monticello and to encourage residents to attend the hearing.

The public hearing begins at 6 p.m. Monday at the Jasper County Courthouse.