News Summary
Coweta County commissioners have postponed a vote on new regulations for data centers after a meeting that drew significant community opposition. Residents voiced their concerns about ‘Project Sail,’ a proposed hyperscale data center project, with many attendees expressing dissent towards potential impacts on local resources and quality of life. The meeting highlighted the growing tensions between community members and county officials in Georgia’s rapidly evolving data center landscape.
Newnan, Georgia — Coweta County commissioners unanimously decided to delay a vote on new regulations for data centers during a meeting that drew significant community opposition. The gathering on August 19 in Newnan attracted an overflow crowd, with many residents standing outside due to capacity constraints.
Residents visibly opposed the proposed “Project Sail,” a $17 billion hyperscale data center project located in the Sargent community. Many attendees wore red to signal their dissent. The county’s Commission Chairman, Bill McKenzie, acknowledged the lengthy discussions that lie ahead at the outset of the meeting.
The opposition to data centers is indicative of a broader trend of pushback from communities across the U.S. as developers seek to propose large projects that significantly affect local natural resources. Georgia has emerged as the fastest-growing data center market in the country, according to CBRE, with numerous projects targeting rural and suburban areas.
The new proposed rules were initiated in response to growing concerns among residents regarding potential impacts on quality of life and the risk of industrial sprawl. A review highlighted that industry lobbyists attempted to soften provisions in the ordinance that aimed for environmental compliance, including mandatory environmental impact assessments and public hearing requirements.
Numerous locals expressed frustration that county officials appear to prioritize developers over community concerns during the ordinance drafting process. Resident Rob Cole emphasized the disconnect between elected officials and the public they serve in regards to Project Sail.
Project Sail, a collaboration between Prologis and Atlas Development, is set to occupy around 831 acres and consume about 900 megawatts of electricity. For context, this energy demand is fourteen times greater than the total power consumption of Atlanta’s airport. Furthermore, a December report from the U.S. Department of Energy projects a potential tripling of national data center power demand within the next five years, which could strain power grids and drive increased fossil fuel developments.
During the meeting, residents voiced their aspirations for stricter regulations on data centers, specifically calling for controls on noise and air pollution and protections for Native American historical sites. Earlier, on May 6, the county implemented a 180-day moratorium on new data center developments prior to contemplating the ordinance.
Coweta County Administrator Michael Fouts maintained that the revisions made to the ordinance were not influenced by lobbyists or developers. However, communications between commissioners and representatives from Project Sail before the public draft was released raised suspicions among community members.
Critics of the proposed regulations, including resident Connie Lytten, expressed dissatisfaction with the ordinance, contending that it failed to adequately reflect their concerns. Additionally, attorneys and developers at the meeting requested more lenient restrictions regarding building height and the industrial classification of data centers.
Looking ahead, the next public hearing concerning the ordinance is scheduled for September 11 at the Coweta County Fairgrounds to accommodate anticipated large crowds. Similar local developments, such as “Project Peach,” have also faced community opposition despite gaining zoning approval.
If passed, the ordinance would classify data centers under “light industrial” zoning, a classification that has alarmed residents who fear it could lead to unchecked industrialization in their area. There has also been backlash from the community regarding the removal of requirements for environmental impact analyses in earlier drafts of the regulations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- DeSmog: Georgia County Puts Off Key Data Center Vote After Public Backlash
- Wikipedia: Data Center
- Times-Herald: Coweta Data Center Hearing to Resume Sept. 11 at Fairgrounds
- Google Search: Coweta County Data Center
- WSBTV: Critics, Supporters of Proposed $17B Data Center in Coweta County Sound Off
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Data Center
- Atlanta News First: Coweta County Puts Moratorium on Proposed Data Center
- Google News: Coweta County Data Center
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
