Opelika council approves Faith Technologies development agreement and tax abatements amid resident protests over transparency

The Opelika City Council approved on a special-call meeting a project development agreement and associated tax abatements for Faith Technologies Incorporated after more than an hour of public comment focused on transparency and whether the site would host a data center.

John Sweatman, director of economic development for the City of Opelika, told the council that Faith Technologies is not a data center but a manufacturing operation that will assemble electrical components for clients including hospitals and businesses that maintain backup power systems. Sweatman said the company’s investment and hiring timeline required an expedited vote so equipment arriving on site would qualify for state-authorized abatements.

In public comment, residents repeatedly said the agenda packet was posted late and lacked a concise executive summary explaining why the city would provide roughly $600,000 in incentives. “If I was responsible for calling a meeting of this size,…