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Residents press commissioners on data centers, nondisclosure concerns and local impacts
Summary
During public comment residents pressed the board for transparency on data-center proposals, asked whether commissioners had signed nondisclosure agreements (they said no), and raised concerns about jobs, environmental and community impacts; commissioners said APC handles zoning recommendations and pledged continued fact-finding.
Multiple residents spoke during the public-comment period about proposed data-center projects.
Daryl Johnson of Glenville asked whether any commissioners had signed nondisclosure agreements; the chair answered, "None," and said there have been no formal talks that required NDAs. Johnson warned that some counties approved data centers with limited long-term local employment and questioned the construction-job impacts.
Diane Fornell and Melinda Mitchell, among others, said the prior Area Plan Commission meeting felt 'railroaded' and urged greater transparency. Mitchell said some attendees felt the meeting favored pro–data-center speakers; the chair responded that both pro- and anti-data-center participants live locally and that commissioners aim to remain open and transparent while the county continues fact-finding.
Barton Heath framed opposition as a working-class issue and criticized what he described as corporate influence; the chair closed public comment and the board adjourned.
No formal decisions on data centers were made; commissioners reiterated that zoning authority begins with the APC and that staff and legal review will inform any future action.
