Proposed 9-Data Center Campus on 850+ Acres Faces Scrutiny in Colleton County
December 15, 2025
A contentious proposal to rezone over 850 acres of rural land in Colleton County, South Carolina, for a massive data center development has ignited a fierce debate, pitting economic development against environmental preservation and community character. The plan highlights the growing tension as the data center industry expands into new regions, often confronting local concerns over resource use and land conservation.
The property owner and a development partner have filed an application for a special zoning exception to construct a campus comprising nine data centers and two electrical substations. The land, currently zoned for rural development, is characterized by forests, wetlands, and significant wildlife habitats, forming part of the ecologically sensitive ACE Basin region.
The scale of the proposed development is substantial, covering more than 850 acres—an area comparable to a large industrial park. In their application, the developers state the project will create new jobs and adhere to natural buffer requirements. However, the potential impact, particularly on wetlands, has raised alarms. Critics point to the immense resource demands typical of such facilities. State Senator Chip Campsen underscored this concern, stating, “One thing that data centers have done, they’ve done everything they can. I tried as a state senator. I wanted to get their water usage, can’t get it. I don’t know what it is. What that means is it’s extremely high and threatens other users.” He also connected the data center boom to broader energy infrastructure pressures, noting, “if it weren’t for data centers, we would not have to build new generating capacity in South Carolina for 15 years, now we are already behind.”
For local residents, the project threatens a cherished way of life. Jennifer Singleton, a resident, voiced a common fear about the loss of community identity and essential resources: “As a property owner, am I going to wake up one day, five years from now, and turn my faucet on? Is there going to be water that comes out of my faucet and is it going to be clean water?” The site also contains historical gravestones dating to the 1800s and is adjacent to residential homes, further fueling opposition.
The debate transcends local zoning, touching on statewide policy dilemmas. Robby Maynor, a resident and Climate Campaign Associate, framed it as a pivotal choice: “I think South Carolina really is at a decision point: what do we want our state to look like 20 years from now, 30 years from now? Do we want a lot of gas plants and pipelines and data centers? Or do we want to protect the things that make South Carolina special and unique?” He concluded, “This is the absolute wrong location for a complex of this size.”
The formal decision process is underway. The Colleton County Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a pivotal public hearing for December 18 at 5 p.m. in the County Council Chambers. In preparation, the local community organized its own meeting on December 16 to consolidate opposition. The developer and county officials have not yet responded to requests for comment on the proposal.
Source: live5news
