7 responses to “Fayetteville approves development agreement for 612-acre QTS Data Center on Hwy. 54 West”

1. 

   Cfayga

   June 24, 2023

   We haven’t learned anything from other congested and overgrown cities. Homeowners are paying much more in taxes, and they keep giving these companies a tax break. Really???
   Every time I go by this data center, I think about the wildlife that has lost its home.
   Soon Fayette County will look like Cobb County. Thank you, political leaders.

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2. 

   Spyglass

   June 22, 2023

   Thanks for the eyesore Fayetteville…

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3. 

   JDPower

   June 22, 2023

   The project will generate millions of dollars of tax revenue for the City of Fayetteville, Board of Education, and Fayette County government, even after any tax abatements are applied. I believe the revenue projection was published here (or maybe the AJC), but I’m sure the City of Fayetteville or the tax accessors office could provide those projections. It’s a boon to the rest of us tax payers and should help defray our coasts.

   Data centers don’t employ many people, so that reduces the burden on our roadways and on the school system.

   I think most of the commenters here are folks who live near the property in question and are peeved that the landowners want to extract value from their property, rather than leave it as untouched woodland. I understand their frustration, but they don’t own the land.

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4. 

   MsV

   June 22, 2023

   Where are all the native wildlife that currently live on/in that land going to live? Hunt etc?
   I thought you all were riding the “save the earth” train’s sales pitch. This is not very “green”
   of you (unless your green is personal riches).
   I think the majority of the citizens would like to stop that train and complete an ethics audit of the conductors and the crew.
   You can’t have it both ways….
   The county’s employees’ slip is showing

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5. 

   Gcort49

   June 21, 2023

   I am beginning to think money lined the pockets of many. Why ANY city council would allow destruction and reconstruction of so much land without any economic benefit for the served area is
   beyond any logical thought. Providing employment for a ‘dozen’ employees does not sound much of a financial boost back into the local community. Also, most ‘technicians’ won’t even be from Fayette county. As much as I hate shopping centers, I’d rather prefer something with a financial boost and return of the dollar.

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6. 

   [email protected]

   June 20, 2023

   Data Centers – we need answers

   This Citizen column described the Fayetteville City Council meeting regarding the construction of the Fayette County QTS data center. Located near Trilith, this project removes 615 acres of forest, replacing it with the largest data center in the world (i.e., lots of drab buildings with computers in them).

   The still unanswered question is “how does this QTS data center benefit Fayette County citizens”? Or, as an official for the Development Authority put it when I asked why they support it -“return on investment”.

   Most of us moved to Fayette County for its great quality of life. We demand that our County stay that way, as reflected in every local election. On the other hand, commercial growth is key to our tax base.

   But very few jobs are created by data centers, as the column states. And the column did not contain information regarding projected taxes to be paid to our local government because this is unknown. Governments usually give tremendous tax breaks, cancelling projected tax revenues. No specific public information has been released regarding these key issues.

   We do know that the data center will be a negative for the environment, as well as for those living near that area. Centers consume substantial amounts of electricity to power and cool equipment. Their energy demand strains the local power grid and increases greenhouse gas emissions.

   These facilities require substantial amounts of water for cooling purposes. High data center usage exacerbates water scarcity problems. What guarantees do we have that water will be recycled? Will we have shortages here, as they have elsewhere with data centers?

   Another aspect is the electronic waste generated by data centers. How will QTS be handling the recycling/disposal issue in Fayette County?

   Despite these environmental issues, is this project right for our County? We must know what tax revenue this project will generate… after tax breaks. Exactly how many jobs are created? Our political leaders and the QTS project itself must also be more forthcoming regarding their plans to protect homeowners and our environment. It is unacceptable to have a project of this size with so many unknowns.

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7. 

   CitizenAl

   June 20, 2023

   Good job. We get concrete and no jobs. There needs to bea way to require audits of our elected officials. Someone is making money other than the citizens.

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