Laurens County residents oppose data center possibility; leaders say no project is proposed
A regional commission listed a data center as one of several possible uses for the former Mohawk building site in a brownfield assessment application that was denied.
LAURENS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Laurens County residents packed a recent county commission meeting to voice strong opposition to the possibility of a data center coming to their community.
During public comment, several people spoke out, making it clear they do not want that type of development in Laurens County.
“We don’t ever want a data center here,” one resident said. “It destroys communities and we love our community.”
Another added concerns about resources.
“We’re not getting any more water on this earth, so we don’t need a data center,” they said.
The concern stems from a grant application submitted earlier this year by the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission. The application listed a data center as one of several potential uses for the former Mohawk building site in Laurens County.
However, officials say that was never a confirmed plan.
Brett Manning, executive director of the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission, says the mention of a data center was only included as a possible use during the application process.
“In the application process, we had to list some potential uses and data center was listed as a potential use,” he said. “Potential. That was it. There is no industry, business, industrial, or otherwise tied to this application.”
Manning says the application was for a brownfield assessment, which is used to evaluate properties that may have environmental concerns and prepare them for future redevelopment. That application was ultimately denied.
Laurens County Commission Chairman Jimmy Rogers says he understands residents’ concerns but wants to reassure the public.
“We have not had any inkling or even a conversation about a data center,” Rogers said.
Rogers says while there are no current discussions, he cannot completely rule out the possibility of future conversations.
“I don’t think you can ever say never because if someone starts talking to us we got to have a conversation, but that does not mean we have to act upon that,” he said.
