The Floyd County Commission has approved a rezoning request for a new data center near Coosa High School, following a public hearing with mixed reactions from residents. Concerns were raised about the potential strain on resources and the heavy industrial zoning associated with the project. Residents questioned the data center’s water and power needs, with local residents highlighting existing water restrictions and worrying about increased water usage; others also urged the commission to consider the risks to the community, schools, and overall quality of life. The land was sold to the developer by the Floyd County Board of Education, and Superintendent Glenn White defended the project, assuring that it would not endanger student safety. County planning staff noted that data centers usually impact traffic minimally but require large amounts of utilities. Commissioner Scotty Hancock mentioned that the developers chose Floyd County due to its water resources and that there would be a limit on future data center projects. The approval includes conditions to reduce negative effects on the community, like restricting property use, limiting lighting, and maintaining buffers around the site.
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