Data center project denied by Douglas County leaders

Residents in Douglas County say they've taken a stand. A planned data center in the western part of the county near the Carroll County line is dead after county leaders voted against this massive project. Fox 5's Kevin Stewart live outside the Douglas County Courthouse where the public hearing took place today. Kevin? Yeah, and that turnout was strong. It was fiery. And at the end, a county commissioner provided some really interesting perspective. Douglas County residents came with the props. That's what data centers sound like. And the punchlines. Should we go ahead and change the name from Douglasville to Datasville? Ready to fight against or support a proposed 4.4 million square foot data center on more than 700 acres near the I-20 Liberty Road exit. AI is here and we've got to move forward with the times. And at times, frenetic public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak in favor of the town? Had both passionate perspectives. Concerns about property values to homes nearby. The environment. We have water, we have air, we have soil. To jobs. Jobs for county residents. 200 to 300 were projected. That's how we build stronger families and that is how communities grow. And just how many of those few jobs are being filled exclusively by Douglas County residents. But in the end, in a 4-1 vote. All in favor of the denial, please raise your hand. County Commission, including Commissioner Mark Alcarez, said no to rezoning the land, killing the project. The data center would have been in Alcarez's district. But he raised a serious concern. A key reason driving data center growth. There's a lot that we stress over. To think of what can we do to where we do not have to raise your taxes. The insurance on the sheriff's office goes up two million dollars. We're 25 years behind in our road infrastructure. That money has got to come from somewhere. A debate for another day. But on this day, this community fought and said we've had enough of this. I understand technology and all that. We already have 11. That's ridiculous. Now eight of them are operational and three more are set to come online. Reporting live in Douglas County, Kevin Stewart, Fox 5 News. Kevin, thanks.