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Residents urge county to pause and increase transparency on proposed data center near North Valdosta neighborhoods
Summary
Multiple residents urged the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners to pause or carefully review a proposed data center on Cullman Road, citing concerns about noise, light, water and electricity usage, public-health effects and property values; commissioners pledged transparency and outreach.
An extended public-comment period at the Lowndes County commission meeting focused on a possible data center proposed for the Cullman Road / North Valdosta corridor. Multiple speakers urged the board to slow the process, improve transparency and include community representatives in technical discussions.
Madeline Jarnigan, a resident of 1211 Ringwood Circle, asked that the county include neighbors in future meetings and requested clarity about noise, light pollution and the project's infrastructure. She expressed concern about the proposed closed-loop cooling systems and their energy use and asked what long-term jobs the facility would bring.
Michael Noll, a longtime resident who spoke after a town-hall meeting on Feb. 17, asked the commission for a clear sign that it would "push the pause button" and to allow citizens an ongoing role in conversations. He and other speakers cited concerns about water and electricity demand, possible drops in water pressure, noise from industrial cooling fans, effects on property values, and the need for regional-impact analyses and technical review-committee (TRC) input.
Several other residents — including Marguerite Gravely, Elizabeth Flail (a physician), and Laura Hannah Dixon — described worries about nighttime noise and lights, potential public-health impacts, strain on utilities and the desirability of siting such large facilities away from neighborhoods. Some speakers proposed alternative locations farther from residential areas or noted ecological impacts of moving the facility into undeveloped farmland or forest.
Commissioners responded by pointing to information posted on the county website (lowndescounty.com), offering to work with residents individually and in community forums, and noting that county staff and commissioners are consulting with counterparts and reviewing technical details (noise levels in decibels, closed-loop system characteristics, DBs and lumens). The chair and other commissioners emphasized they could not unilaterally restrict a landowner's property rights but said they sought community input and transparency as the process continues.
The board then moved into executive session to discuss real-estate matters under attorney-client privilege.
