A proposed data center at the former Fruit of the Loom facility in Vidalia drew questions from residents during a special called meeting of the Vidalia mayor and Board of Aldermen on Tuesday.
The project involves Portales Vidalia, LLC, which is working to acquire the former industrial facility. Mayor Buz Craft said a data center is currently the primary prospect for the property.
During a lengthy public hearing, residents raised concerns about electricity and water usage, noise, environmental impacts, utility rates, jobs and the amount of information available to the public before the board was asked to act.
Craft said the proposed data center would initially require about 50 megawatts of electricity. He said Vidalia currently uses about 22 megawatts and has approximately 104 megawatts available through its electrical system.
According to Craft, the initial 50-megawatt phase is projected to generate about $4.2 million annually in net electric revenue for the town. He said an electrical study for the initial phase was still being completed but that preliminary information indicated the town could serve the load without additional upgrades.
Craft also said any electrical infrastructure improvements required specifically for the project would be paid for by the company, and he said the town has not offered Portales a discounted electric rate or other financial incentives.
Water use was another concern raised by residents. Craft said the company’s agreement allows for a maximum of 50,000 gallons per day, but expected normal usage would be closer to 15,000 to 20,000 gallons per day. He said the facility is expected to use a closed-loop cooling system.
Several residents living near the property raised concerns about noise and asked whether a noise study would be made available before the project moves forward. Craft said town ordinances limit noise to 65 decibels and said his research and visits to other data centers indicated operating noise would fall below that level.
Questions were also raised about employment. Craft said company representatives have indicated the initial development could create approximately 65 to 70 permanent jobs with salaries averaging around $75,000 to $80,000. He acknowledged those employment numbers have not yet been put into a written agreement.
Residents also questioned the speed of the process and asked for additional studies and project information to be made public. Craft said he has not signed a nondisclosure agreement related to the project and said some details remain private because the sale of the property is a transaction between private parties.
No representative of Portales Vidalia was present at Tuesday’s meeting.
Following the public hearing, the board approved an occupational license for Portales Vidalia, LLC for data center operations at the former Fruit of the Loom site. The board also approved water and sewer and electrical service agreements with the company.
The board separately approved an option allowing Portales Vidalia to potentially purchase approximately 208 acres of town-owned property in the Vidalia Industrial Park. Craft emphasized that agreement is an option and not a sale of the property.
Craft said additional development at the site beyond the currently proposed data center would require further permitting and approvals.
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