Commission Chairman Luke Singletary said the extension was necessary to allow more time for public feedback and to refine the draft ordinance. "We're almost done, but our current moratorium would run out on December 31st, so we're just extending it to give a little bit more time for some public input and just to fine tune," Singletary said, adding that community input will help determine "what is right for our community." Under the resolution, the moratorium will end automatically if the county adopts a data center ordinance before the new expiration date.
The decision comes as neighboring Albany also maintains a 12-month moratorium on data centers, implemented by its commissioners on July 28, underscoring a regional pattern of local governments seeking to balance economic development opportunities against infrastructure strain and community concerns. For the data center industry, the extended pause in Lee County signals that permitting timelines in parts of Georgia may face continued uncertainty as local authorities work through zoning and regulatory frameworks.