Bulloch County Extends Data Center Ban Amid Strong Resident Opposition Over Water and Noise Concerns
May 9, 2026
Bulloch County Extends Data Center Ban Amid Strong Resident Opposition Over Water and Noise Concerns
Bulloch County commissioners voted Tuesday to extend a temporary moratorium on data center development, with growing momentum toward making the prohibition permanent through a zoning amendment. The decision follows sustained opposition from local residents who raised alarms over environmental degradation, water consumption, and noise pollution.
The temporary ban, now extended through the end of 2026, comes as rural communities across Georgia grapple with the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day, placing significant strain on local water resources. A separate study found that Georgia Power customers living near data centers experienced utility bill increases of 267 percent over five years, intensifying economic concerns among residents.
“This is an area that is heavily reliant on our farmers and our agriculture, and I just think it’s really important to value the land and the space over something that’s so pollution heavy,” said Athanasia Choate, a Bulloch County resident who spoke against the facilities during the public hearing. Other residents highlighted noise pollution as a quality-of-life issue. “I get aggravated with hearing my dog bark, so I wouldn’t like that neither, especially for the babies and the elderly,” said Deandre Burton, another local resident.
Notably, Bulloch County has not yet been approached by any developer with a formal proposal to build a data center. Chairman David Bennett acknowledged the lack of interest but remained cautious. “I’m leaning toward no still, cause I just don’t know, but I can also tell you that I’m willing to listen to what’s going on,” Bennett said during Tuesday’s meeting. Commissioners have put forward a motion that could lead to a permanent ban through a zoning amendment, reflecting a broader trend among rural counties in the U.S. Southeast to preemptively restrict data center development before it arrives.
The industry implications are significant: Bulloch County’s move signals growing local resistance to data center projects in areas where agriculture and residential life dominate, potentially complicating expansion plans for hyperscale cloud providers seeking to build in less regulated, land-rich regions. As water and energy costs rise, community pushback may force operators to invest more heavily in sustainability measures and community engagement before breaking ground.
Source: wtoc
