Commissioners want more information on data centers

At last week’s meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners, several commissioners discussed the need to get more information on data centers, to hear the pros and cons on the issue from someone knowledgeable about the subject.
Whitehead Commissioner James Emory Tate brought up the matter, saying he had a friend from North Georgia who had told him about a data center established in North Georgia on county-owned property with the company paying $100,000 per acre for the site. Tate said he felt the commissioners needed to get more information on the subject.
Blackburn Commissioner Rob Stone agreed, saying, “Everyone is hearing about the bad stuff, but I’d like to hear more about it.”County Administrator Jayme Crosby suggested the commissioners set up a workshop to hear more about the issue and invite the public. She added that, if the commissioners decide to have a workshop, a larger location would be needed, a location large enough to accommodate all members of the public who want to learn more about data centers.
No decision was made on the matter.
Board of Tourism Executive Director Oakley Perry talked to the commissioners about the Tourism Board members wanting to increase the hotel/motel tax from 5% to 8%. Pklans are to create a tourism project fund for such things as putting kayaks at the river and additional signage in town. Perry had spoken to the commissioners about the matter in December and it was approved by the Georgia Assembly where the Governor signed off. He said a change was made that Tourism had originally wanted to start Aug. 1 but now it has been pushed back to Sept. 1. He also addressed that he had mentioned previously about his office collecting hotel/motel taxes but after speaking with county attorney it was best to let Tax Commissioner keep collecting them.
The commissioners unanimously approved the increase.
In other action at the meeting, the commissioners ….
…. approved a license to sell beer and wine at the old Little Store on the Alma Highway.
…. listened as Crosby addressed that the Learning Center contacted her saying part of the fence needs to be replaces and two new gates installed. She said the two bids will be under $10,000. Crosby also addressed the air conditioner at Towns Bluff. She said the visitors building has twin air conditioner units and both will need replacing. She said that bid would be over $10,000. Crosby said one bid was received for the old Road Department office but the price was under the minimum bid. She asked to rebid it in other newspapers and social media. Commissioner Tate mentioned that the siding needs to be put back on the trailer before asking for more bids. The commissioners approved all three of Crosby’s requests.
…. heard from Hazlehurst District Commissioner James Benjamin who said Lilly Lane was not being maintained by the county road department. He also asked if the side cutter can cut some bushes on Walter Phillips Road.
…. heard from Laura Thompson who addressed her concerns about the data centers and agreed that the workshop would be a great idea.
…. heard a lengthy presentation from Larry Yarbrough who said he had obtained the county’s budgets for the last three years and he expressed his concerns about the fact that the solid waste and landfill line item had doubled from 2025 to 2026.