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Fannin County extends moratoriums on data centers, biosolids and crypto mining through Sept. 30, 2026
Summary
The Board approved three separate resolutions extending moratoriums while planning staff and the planning commission draft regulatory requirements citing concerns about water, power and noise impacts; the planning commission chair said ordinances are expected to be drafted for public hearings this summer.
The Fannin County Board of Commissioners voted to extend three moratorium resolutions — on data-center development, distribution/storage of biosolids, and cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) mining operations — through Sept. 30, 2026 to give the planning commission and staff time to craft regulations.
Mr. Ratcliffe, identified in the meeting as chair of the planning commission, told the board the association of county commissioners of Georgia provided training and that the commission is working on requirements for any company that seeks to develop these operations. "We are respectfully requesting that you enact these moratoriums that give us through September...then you can give us more detail," Mr. Ratcliffe said, describing the moratoriums as a pause that allows the county to develop objective requirements rather than an outright ban.
Commissioners discussed the practical concerns that motivated the moratoriums: water availability, power infrastructure, and uncertain long-term noise impacts on both people and wildlife. A presenter who attended training for other counties cited examples where rapid development of data centers strained local water and power systems and urged caution. The board discussed a likely ordinance timetable that would include planning commission work through July, public hearings in August and early September, and potential adoption by the end of September or first meeting in October.
Each resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The resolutions were considered and passed individually at the meeting; commissioners did not record a numerical roll-call tally in the transcript.
The board instructed planning staff to continue work with the planning commission and the county association and scheduled follow-up hearings as the drafts are completed.
