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Residents press commissioners to reject or tightly restrict proposed 'Project Sale' data center
Summary
At a Nov. 4 Coweta County commission meeting, more than half of public commenters focused on a proposed data‑center development called 'Project Sale,' citing groundwater, noise and fiscal‑impact concerns while other residents and industry experts urged approval for jobs and revenue. Speakers asked the county to require binding reimbursement and indemnity agreements before rezoning.
Dozens of residents used the Nov. 4 public comment period at the Coweta County Board of Commissioners meeting to press elected officials over a proposed data‑center development dubbed “Project Sale.” Many urged the board to block rezoning or to impose strict, legally enforceable commitments from the developer for infrastructure, water and rate protections.
The debate dominated public comment. Kathy Smith, who identified herself as a District 3 resident, listed what she called "four reasons to vote against rezoning," warning that "contamination of our water is inevitable" if the site — which commenters said sits on a primary groundwater recharge area for the Chattahoochee — is built as proposed. Another speaker, Rebecca McLean, asked the county to require a written reimbursement and indemnity agreement and an independent financial analysis before any rezoning or permit approvals.
Supporters of the project also spoke. Tommy Haines and local engineer Eddie Oliver said the project could provide large revenue and be built to modern standards. Haines cited research he said showed annual average revenue projections of about $62,400,000. Oliver, who described three decades of experience in generators and data‑center support, said much public material is "misinformation," and added, "They're not noisy," arguing current technology and design can limit noise and emissions.
Speakers on both sides asked the board to address specific gaps and guarantees. Among the requests: a legal, enforceable developer reimbursement agreement for sewer, electric and road improvements; a written rate‑impact analysis from Coweta County Water and Sewer Authority showing whether residential ratepayers could face higher bills; and an independent third‑party financial review of projected tax revenue. Several commenters pointed to widely divergent revenue estimates they had seen and asked for clarity.
County staff and commissioners did not take public comment during the period but later moved into executive session on personnel and litigation. No rezoning decision was recorded that evening; several speakers asked the board to delay any approval until the requested studies and binding agreements are produced.
What happens next: Commissioners did not vote on Project Sale during the Nov. 4 meeting. Residents who asked for binding infrastructure commitments and independent analyses said they will press the board at future hearings; developers and agency staff will likely need to provide the requested documentation before the matter returns for formal action.
