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Residents press Upson commissioners on IDA land purchases and ask for data-center moratorium
Summary
During public comment, multiple residents raised concerns about the Industrial Development Authority's authority to buy land and urged caution and public oversight; one resident asked the board to enact a 12–24 month moratorium on data centers until the county adopts ordinances and policies.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the June 23 Upson County Board of Commissioners meeting to press the board for clearer limits on the Industrial Development Authority and to request a temporary moratorium on data-center projects.
Dana Fowler, who identified herself as a county resident of 37 East Peachtree Street, said she is troubled by the IDA's ability to purchase land when two existing industrial parks in Thomaston are not fully occupied. "I would have hoped with the citizens that we have in our county who are struggling just to put food on the table, that we would be good stewards of the way that we spend the money," Fowler said, urging commissioners to ask tough questions of the IDA.
Rusty Blackson called for an immediate moratorium of at least 12 months on data centers so Upson County can develop policies and ordinances. Blackson said opponents nationwide have raised concerns about data centers' effects on health, water, wildlife and the environment, and he argued the county needs time to craft regulations rather than risk a development arriving "tomorrow" without local controls.
Other public speakers urged clarity about what constitutes a formal "reading" of ordinances and suggested standards for locating industrial parks on arterial roads.
Commissioners responded by saying they preferred writing a data-center ordinance rather than an emergency moratorium; several said they want to study rules before any development arrives. The board did not adopt a moratorium at the meeting.
What happens next: Commissioners directed staff to continue work on zoning and data-center ordinance language and to consider public concerns about IDA authority and land use during future discussions.
