Twiggs County residents voice concerns ahead of data center rezoning vote
A 291.5-acre stretch of land in unincorporated Twiggs County could soon be home to a new data center. Those in favor are excited about what the center could mean for local growth, while others are asking county leaders to pump the brakes.
JEFFERSONVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A 291.5-acre stretch of land in unincorporated Twiggs County could soon be home to a new data center. Those in favor are excited about what the center could mean for local growth, while others are asking county leaders to pump the brakes.
“If we have to have a new data center here let’s make sure that we have everything in order and that we’re doing the right things,” said Meg Couillard Bevan, a Twiggs County resident.
Tomorrow night, Twiggs County Commissioners are set to make the final decision on whether or not to rezone the property from agricultural land to general industrial use. Rock Eagle Partners LLC is asking that the land be rezoned from agricultural land to general industrial use, allowing for the construction of the center, which they say will bring a host of benefits to the county.
Bevan was one of roughly two dozen residents voicing concerns about the development inside the county courthouse on Wednesday. She says commissioners should hold off on voting until the data center can go through the state’s Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process, which won’t happen until new oversight rules are decided on in November.
“It sounds good,” Bevan said. “And I’d like to be an optimist about everything, but I’m a realist about some things.”
Other residents pointed to the center’s impact on the environment, including energy consumption, water usage and potential harm to the local black bear population. According to Eagle Rock Partners LLC, the facility would double the county’s tax revenue and bring between 500-600 new jobs. But some residents question if locals will be qualified to fill them.
Ken Loeber, Founding Partner of Eagle Rock Partners LLC, says roughly two-thirds of the new jobs will be facility maintenance and security, opening up the possibility of employment to Middle Georgians.
“There is a perception that everyone that works in these things has a Ph.D. in Computer Science, and that’s just not factual,” Loeber said.
Loeber also answered questions about noise coming from the facility, saying it wouldn’t exceed 55 decibels.
“If you open a window and listen to the road here, without the trains coming by, that’s 55 decibels,” Loeber said.
Some say speaking to the developer helped to ease their concerns and get them on board for more growth, while others say not so fast.
“I think having some systems in place to make sure that we all do what’s right, morally right and ethically right, is important,” Bevan said.
The commission is scheduled to host its rezoning hearing Thursday night at 6 p.m. inside the county courthouse. The project is estimated to be worth up to $5 billion.
