Residents are invited to learn more about two proposed data centers during an upcoming town hall. The data centers town hall will be on Monday, January 6, at 6:30 pm.
Swearingen Development Partners of Normandy Park, WA is proposing two data centers in Henry County. The projects, if approved, would be the first data centers in Henry County.
Data Centers Town Hall
The developer will be hosting a town hall meeting on Monday, January 6. It will start at 6:30 pm. The meeting is at the Henry County Admin Building, 140 Henry Parkway, McDonough. According to Henry County, “this meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposed projects, ask questions, and provide input. Your voice is an important part of this process.”
The proposed projects are off Rocky Creek Road and Simpson Mill Road. The properties consist of 148 and 250 acres, respectively. The sites are west of I-75 between McDonough and Hampton. The applicant is requesting a rezoning request and comp plan amendment at each location to build the proposed projects.
The zoning advisory board considered both requests in November. They recommended approval on Rocky Creek Road and denial on Simpson Mill Road. The applicant postponed the requests before presenting to the county commissioners. They postponed to hold the aforementioned community meeting. The BOC will consider each item at a future meeting to make the final decision. That board meeting is not yet scheduled.
Residents’ Concerns
Several common concerns have emerged from residents, both at the zoning board meeting and in online discussions. They are some of the following:
- what type of noise impacts will there be on adjacent properties and the surrounding area,
- whether existing utilities are sufficient to serve the proposed projects and the impact on water and power, and
- the proposed placement of data centers in a residential area, and amending the future land use map for the projects.
The upcoming town hall meeting should provide an opportunity for the community to share these concerns and receive additional information.
About the Project
The developer shared the following information with MHF News:
The proposal, a data center project, represents a $400 million investment in Henry County’s future, creating over 650 construction jobs and 90 permanent, full-time positions. It is projected to generate $14.4 million annually in tax revenue with an additional $5.6 million earmarked for county schools. Additionally, up to $17.4 million in equipment taxes will be collected, further boosting the county’s resources.
The project will deliver a significant upgrade to the existing power grid, strengthening the region’s power infrastructure for both the development and the community. Development will not require any additional resources from the Henry County Water Authority, ensuring the community’s water and sewer systems remain unaffected. The data center’s operations are designed to minimize traffic and adhere to the most restrictive building codes, with no operational pollution. In addition, development will prioritize preserving the current quality of life for residents. A well-planned vegetation barrier and additional trees will mitigate noise levels while creating a pleasing aesthetic.
Partnering with local schools, the data center will promote STEM education and workforce development programs, preparing Henry County’s students for careers in technology. The community will benefit from a boost to existing internet services, enhancing connectivity and supporting local emergency services, businesses, schools, and healthcare providers.
In addition, the developer has a project website available here.
Featured image shows a map with the two proposed data center projects. Clayton Carte / MHF News map created with Datawrapper.
