Image Credit: Wayne County Commission / Facebook.
Article by Olivia Lupia, Tennessee Conservative News –
Having already implemented data center regulations in January, the Wayne County Commission is looking to add even more provisions to the ordinance to ensure local land is protected ahead of a rumored data center proposal in the area.
During a work session earlier in the month, commissioners discussed expanding their existing regulations with nine new proposed amendments, emphasizing the need to safeguard unincorporated areas before any tech companies make formal bids to build.
“These data centers, they’re coming,” said Commission Chairman Kevin McCrary. “Times are changing. The things that we have in our lives and that we want require change. And what we look at as commissioners is the risk versus the rewards on the things that we do.”
Commissioner Tim Hopkins said the body is “getting ahead of the ball. We said, ‘What do we got to do to protect Wayne County?’ So we got to working on this ordinance.”
Wayne County’s existing regulations are some of the strictest in the state and include a 1,500-foot buffer between data facilities and residential property lines. The new proposed amendments would enforce limits on water usage effectiveness and strictly monitor decibel noise levels.
Other amendments would require centers to provide:
– Specific pond liners along with rigorous soil testing to avoid groundwater contamination
– Guarantees that private companies, not taxpayers, pay for any cleanup and equipment removal if a facility goes out of business
– Restriction of backup diesel generator tests to normal daytime hours to prevent late-night noise pollution
– Strict disclosures and containment plans for cooling fluids, wastewater, PFAS, and chemical releases
– Screening around bright utility substations and “dark sky” compliant exterior lighting to protect against nighttime light pollution
– Detailed plans for how centers will reduce massive cooling water demands during a drought or utility disruption
No facilities have been approved in the unincorporated county yet, but an announcement about a proposed center near Jesup city limits has spurred officials to close any regulatory loopholes.
“We don’t want contractors or companies coming in here being able to do what they want… and they’re gone and then the people of Wayne County will have to suffer for it,” Chairman McCrary said. “‘Cause I’ve done my homework to find out what I need to do to keep this county safe.”
Wayne County Mayor-Elect John McDonald’s office released a statement about the proposal, relaying that no data center project has been approved and no final site has yet been confirmed after a preliminary meeting with representatives of Crystal Peaks Data Centers and the law firm Holland & Knight.
The proposed facility would reportedly be approximately 500,000 square feet and represent a potential investment of more than $1 billion into the county. Just shy of 90 jobs would theoretically be created, with salaries supposedly ranging from $80-85,000 annually. Crystal Peaks estimates the project could generate almost $9 million in county revenue during its first year.
As the community has been abuzz with questions and concerns, McDonald emphasized that he is, “neither for nor against the proposal at this time. My priority is to gather the facts, ask hard questions, and make sure the people of Wayne County have the information they deserve before any decision is made.”
He reiterated that the process remains in the preliminary stages and no official decisions about whether a data center will be developed in the county have been made.
But according to an anonymous source, “the mayor-elect literally told everyone in an unannounced meeting he held at our local fire house ‘There is nothing you can do to stop this, they have unlimited money.’ He also said they picked us because ‘people around here still sign with an X they are so uneducated’. The company is claiming they will build infrastructure and employ 80 people, yet if people sign here with X, how will they work at a tech plant? They threatened the mayor elect that money is no object to fight us.”
While these allegations are currently unconfirmed, it remains clear that the general community sentiment is against a data center in the area, and residents will likely support the County Commission’s proposed amendments to the regulations. The county plans to hold a public comment session next month before the amendments receive an official vote at the Commission’s September meeting.
Sources:
Anonymous
https://library.municode.com/ga/wayne_county/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1403882
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Smart. All counties better do same.