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Residents question how much Columbiana will actually gain from data-center tax deal
Summary
Public commenters challenged council estimates, presented their own SSUT calculations that produced only modest local shares, and urged the council to use any payment for tangible projects such as sidewalks and schools.
Multiple residents told the council they were skeptical that the state sales-and-use-tax pool would produce substantial long-term local revenues from the data-center build-out and urged the city to secure tangible, visible benefits if it accepts an incentive.
A public commenter who supplied population-based math walked through the state distribution method and said that when Columbia's population ("roughly 5,100") is divided into the state's population he estimated the city's SSUT share would amount to about $1,652. He warned that the municipal share from the large equipment purchases would be a small fraction of the company's total projected spending and asked whether that justified a tax abatement.
Other residents said the city should focus on 'tangible' projects — sidewalks, school support or public-safety equipment — and not allow funds to be dissipated on non-visible items. One resident with industry experience said: "These businesses that are put in these areas... donate. They put money into the community... the community should benefit from it." Council members said they would evaluate how to distribute funds but made no allocation at the meeting.
Public commenters also pressed the council to ensure transparency in the negotiation process and to seek state certification and written payment schedules before finalizing the deal. The council said it will bring back final documentation for review and that any spending decisions would be made by council vote.
