COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. () – Some people in Columbia County are concerned about a proposal for a new data center.

During Tuesday night’s commission meeting, those against the project spoke about fears that the data center would use the municipal water supply to cool the center. Commission Chairman Doug Duncan issued a statement at the end of the meeting to address those concerns.

“I just want to be crystal clear. We will not compromise, risk, or gamble the water table or the electric grid to pull this project off,” said Duncan. “We won’t compromise any of those in any shape, form or fashion. Our intent is we will achieve it, but we won’t compromise those and I just wanted to make that public statement. So you have our commitment as we work this project through, we’re going to protect Columbia County.”

The next Columbia County commission meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Photojournalist credit: Rickey Jones, Jr.