Candler County commissioners hear public comment on data centers

CANDLER COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The Candler County Board of Commissioners discussed data centers Monday for the first time since being approached about building one within county limits.

The agenda item drew a room full of residents to the meeting. Seven residents spoke during public comment, offering a range of views, from opposition to the project, to residents who remain undecided, to those who support the development.

Commissioners confirm no formal application

Board Chairman Brad Jones said only County Administrator Bryan Aasheim has been approached about potential development next to the Metter Municipal Airport, off I-16. Jones said there has not been a formal application submitted to the board.

“It hasn’t come before us, it’s just scuttlebutt, it’s just talk. But it is definitely looming over the horizon. And I don’t think anyone who is sitting up here in front of you today is that was elected by the constituents of this county would take this decision very lightly,” Jones said.

Residents organize ahead of meeting

Ahead of the meeting, local organizers launched social media pages and websites for residents to share information about the proposal.

“The sooner we can all get behind the fight, the better chance we have stopping it,” said Ameigh Denali, an organizer opposed to the data center.

Resident Sherril Johnson said education was a priority for the group.

“You’ve got to get everybody educated so they’re talking about the same things,” Johnson said.

One resident pointed to potential tax relief as a benefit of a data center, saying such opportunities can be hard to come by in a small county. Denali said that for organizers opposed to the project, financial considerations are not the deciding factor.

“Those things don’t matter, but what does is that we’re all behind this and that together we can all really make a difference to preserve what we love here,” Denali said.

Moratorium request

Johnson asked the board to consider a six-month moratorium before any decisions are made on data center development.

“I don’t think we should be talking about anything until we have a moratorium. Period,” Johnson said. “The politicians definitely haven’t had time to look into this and know what’s going to happen.”

“That is where I need everybody to be, and everybody needs to be at this meeting tonight, and everybody needs to say that we need a temporary moratorium until we can understand what this means for our community,” Johnson said.

Separate Metter project

The city of Metter has confirmed it was also approached to build a separate data center on land within city limits. Because that land falls under city jurisdiction, county leaders have no authority over that development. Commissioners only discussed the proposed development near the airport during Monday’s meeting.

Metter City Council has not addressed data center plans in a public meeting. City leaders are currently putting together a resident-run data center task force.

What’s next

Whether residents supported or opposed a data center in the area, speakers agreed that further research is needed before any decision is made. Jones closed the meeting by thanking the community for participating and said the board would continue to be transparent throughout the process.