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THOMSON, Ga. — At a meeting held on Tuesday, the McDuffie County Planning Commission reviewed a proposal for a new data center, which is stirring up interest and discussions within the community.
The proposed site for this data center is along Randall Hunt Road, conveniently adjacent to an existing large substation. The project, known as Project Azalea, required a special exception zoning request, which the commission has already submitted and received.
Community members have emphasized the importance of thorough information sharing before any decisions are made, ensuring that the community moves forward with full awareness.
“We really appreciate when a planning commission or board of commissioners engages with us openly,” said Cameron Grogan, a developer involved in the data center project. “Tonight was a great example of that. We believe a data center is a more advantageous option, providing greater tax revenue and economic benefits to the county compared to a solar farm. It minimally impacts the nearby residents, and we’ve made efforts to communicate with those who are affected.”
The potential tax revenue generated by the data center is projected to double the current county budget, a significant financial boost. The proposal received strong support from the commission, passing with a 5-1 vote.
Photojournalist credit: Avery Van Dusen