Community forum draws 100 residents seeking answers on proposed Black Belt data centers

About 100 residents gathered Thursday afternoon at Wallace Community College in Demopolis for a community forum aimed at helping citizens better understand the potential impacts of large-scale data centers as proposals continue to emerge across Alabama's Black Belt.

The forum, organized by environmental advocates, was sparked by a proposed data center in Marengo and Hale counties.

Organizers said they hosted the forum to inform residents about the environmental, infrastructure and community issues associated with data centers before proposals come before local governments for approval.

The meeting comes as data center proposals are surfacing across the region, including one in Lowndes County. This is the second meeting about data centers in Demopolis. An April meeting also drew 100 concerned residents.

Ryan Anderson with the Southern Environmental Law Center said data center proposals are popping up all across Alabama. Many proposed projects begin with land speculators who acquire property, secure utility access and local approvals, then sell the project to a future data center operator, she said.

"Sometimes it's difficult to get information because the company seeking approvals isn't necessarily the company that will ultimately operate the facility," Anderson said.

She said Alabama has become attractive for data center development because of its abundant land and water resources, as well as utility infrastructure.

During the meeting, residents shared what they have heard regarding the proposed Marengo-Hale County project. Because few details about that proposal have been made public, speakers said they could not answer specific questions about expected water consumption, noise levels or environmental impacts.

One resident questioned whether the region has enough water to support a large facility.

"Will the water be dirty or sandy?" she asked. "We don't get enough water today. I'm worried our well will run dry."

Another resident asked simply, "What are we going to do?"

"That's why we're here," Anderson responded. "We're learning and sharing information so we can demand real answers from elected officials."

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Speakers discussed the significant infrastructure demands associated with modern data centers, which require substantial amounts of electricity and water to cool computer servers.

Anderson said cooling systems vary, with some using water-intensive methods while others rely on closed-loop cooling systems that consume more electricity but reduce water use.

She also noted that Alabama has relatively few regulations specifically governing data centers and that many rural communities lack zoning ordinances that could address where such facilities are located.

Katherine Eddins, a conservation attorney and Gallion resident, said the proposed Marengo-Hale County project will encompass approximately 1,000 acres, with a building on 100 acres.

Eddins encouraged residents to become actively involved before decisions are made.

"The reason we're here today is for all of us to get educated, go talk to your government officials and get involved in the conversation," Eddins said. "This is not a done deal."

She urged residents to contact county commissioners, water board members and local mayors, attend commission meetings and host similar educational gatherings in their communities.

Eddins described August as a "critical time" as discussions surrounding the proposed development continue.

Karmelia Brown, who lives in southern Hale County, said she plans to attend the upcoming Hale County Commission meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Hale County Courthouse.

Hunter Hall of Birmingham said he traveled to Demopolis because he wants "what's best for Marengo County." Hall said he has worked with data centers since the late 1980s and believes projects can be designed responsibly if developers follow best practices.

Danny Johnson of the Atlanta Regional Commission said residents can ask that data centers incorporate environmental features such as substantial tree buffers and other design elements to lessen their impact on neighboring communities.