Dade County Commissioners Move Toward 90-Day Moratorium on Data Center Development

Proposed temporary restriction would apply to unincorporated areas of Dade County

DADE COUNTY, Ga. — The Dade County Board of Commissioners took steps Thursday night, November 5, toward establishing a 90-day moratorium on new data center development in the unincorporated areas of Dade County.

The action follows a proposal by District 4 Commissioner Melissa C. Bradford, who called for a temporary pause to allow county officials to examine the potential impact of large-scale data centers on local infrastructure and residents.

The proposed moratorium would temporarily prevent approval of new data center projects in unincorporated Dade County while officials review possible regulations and development requirements.

Bradford said the county needs time to evaluate how data centers could affect water supplies, electrical capacity, roads, emergency services and public utilities.

She also raised concerns about the cost of infrastructure improvements and whether those expenses would be paid by taxpayers or developers.

“Our roads, our water systems, and our electrical grid were built to serve the citizens and families of this county — not the balance sheets of out-of-state corporations,” Bradford said in announcing her proposal.

County to Review Infrastructure and Regulations

During the proposed 90-day period, Bradford has called for county officials to examine several issues, including:

• The capacity of local water and electrical systems to support additional development.
• Potential impacts on roads, emergency services and public utilities.
• Who would be responsible for funding necessary infrastructure upgrades.
• Possible regulations and special-use requirements governing data centers.
• Opportunities for residents and business owners to participate in public hearings.

Bradford said the goal is not to prevent economic development, but to ensure the county has appropriate safeguards in place before considering major projects.

“This is not about saying no to growth,” Bradford said. “It is about saying yes to growth that works for the people who actually live here.”

Moratorium Would Apply Only to Unincorporated Dade County

The proposed moratorium would apply to unincorporated areas of Dade County, rather than automatically extending to property within the city limits of Trenton.

The temporary restriction is intended to provide county officials an opportunity to consider development standards and determine what requirements should be in place before new data center projects are approved.

The discussion comes amid increasing public interest in the possibility of data center development in Dade County and its potential effects on infrastructure, tax revenue and long-term growth.

A 90-day moratorium would be temporary and would not constitute a permanent ban on data centers.

County officials are expected to continue reviewing the issue as they consider further action on the proposed moratorium.