BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. — Plans to build a sprawling, billion-dollar data center in Bartow County are drawing opposition from some residents.
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The data center received approval this week for a site off State Route 293.
The 560-acre site is expected to be cleared to make way for a 350,000-square-foot computing facility.
Angela Hogue, who lives in Bartow County, says she and her husband are against the project.
“My husband and I don’t agree with it,” Hogue said.
Hogue says she’s flat-out against Bartow County and Kingston becoming home to another data center in Georgia.
Many residents who oppose data centers claim they cause environmental damage, increased water consumption, higher electric bills and noise.
“I hate them, honestly. They’re taking over everywhere you look. They’re putting up another one,” said James Nation, another Bartow County resident.
“It’s just not something we need out here,” said Dana Nation.
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But the city government of Kingston, which has a population of just over 700, believes it needs the tax revenue the data center will bring.
According to the developer’s website, the project will generate a minimum of $2 million in taxes and fees each year — twice the city’s budget.
The developer says that money could be used to support property tax relief, infrastructure upgrades and other benefits.
The project is also expected to create numerous construction jobs and between 50 and 100 high-paying permanent positions.
Dillon Cribb sees the potential benefits.
“It does create more jobs to help the economy and does provide economic structure,” Cribb said.
But other residents say there are more important priorities.
“I think they should be doing something different. Like, we have a big homeless problem right here in Bartow County,” said Brandon McCoy.
The developer has not released a timeline for when construction on the data center will begin or when the project will be completed.
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