No Data Centers

DATA CENTERS: CONCERNS FOR RURAL MORGAN COUNTY

Large data centers can introduce industrial impacts into rural areas. The effects depend on the location, size, cooling technology, utility agreements, and operating conditions.

This list identifies documented concerns and questions to investigate. It does not establish what a specific Morgan County project would do.

DOCUMENTED CONCERNS

CONTINUOUS NOISE
Cooling equipment can create persistent, low-frequency noise. Some residents near facilities have reported effects on their well-being, even when ordinary noise limits were met. Design and distance from homes matter.
HEAVY ELECTRICITY DEMAND
Computing and cooling require substantial electricity. Large facilities can require additional generation, substations, and transmission lines.
FINANCIAL RISK TO UTILITY CUSTOMERS
If utilities build infrastructure for projected demand that never materializes, other customers could face unrecovered costs. Georgia has adopted protections for large Georgia Power customers. We need to identify the serving utility and applicable safeguards before making local claims.
WATER DEMAND
Facilities using evaporative cooling can consume substantial water. Other designs use much less. The important questions are the water source, peak summer demand, and drought provisions.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT NEAR HOMES
Large buildings, cooling equipment, generators, and substations can conflict with residential and rural surroundings. Setbacks, screening, and enforceable operating limits matter.
GENERATOR EMISSIONS
Diesel backup generators emit nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Local impacts depend on operating hours, emissions controls, and proximity to homes.
STORMWATER AND EROSION
Clearing land and adding roofs and pavement can increase runoff. Inadequate controls can cause erosion and sediment pollution in creeks and ponds.
LIMITED PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
Construction can employ many workers temporarily. Permanent staffing is generally much smaller. Job claims should separate construction jobs from ongoing positions.

OTHER CONCERNS REQUIRING LOCAL STUDY

• Loss of farmland, forest, and rural scenery.
• Wildlife habitat fragmentation.
• Nighttime lighting spilling onto neighboring property.
• Pressure on wells and drought-time water supplies.
• Public costs for water-system expansion.
• Construction traffic and road damage.
• Fuel storage and spill risks.
• Fire-service training and equipment needs.
• Possible effects on nearby property values.
• Tax incentives reducing the net public benefit.
• Future expansion beyond the initial proposal.
• Closure, abandonment, and restoration costs.
• Combined impacts if several facilities are approved.

These are assessment questions, not guaranteed outcomes. Claims about property-value losses, higher electric bills, or depleted wells require project-specific evidence.

WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD REQUEST BEFORE APPROVAL

• Complete site plans, including future phases.
• Independent nighttime and low-frequency noise studies.
• Average and peak water use, cooling design, and drought plans.
• Electricity requirements and proposed infrastructure routes.
• Written agreements identifying who pays infrastructure costs.
• Generator emissions and testing schedules.
• Fuel-storage, lighting, and emergency-response plans.
• Stormwater, traffic, and environmental assessments.
• Permanent job commitments.
• Net tax revenue after incentives and public expenses.
• Enforceable limits, monitoring, penalties, and closure protections.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Residents should have access to the relevant documents and a meaningful opportunity to review them before decisions are made.

Data centers can generate substantial tax revenue. The county should demonstrate whether those benefits outweigh the full costs and whether community protections are enforceable.

OUR POSITION

Protect Morgan County’s rural character. Require transparent decisions, independent studies, and enforceable protections before approving major industrial development.

SOURCES

Virginia legislative audit:
https://jlarc.virginia.gov/landing-2024-data-centers-in-virginia.asp

Fairfax County data-center information:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/data-centers

EPA stormwater information:
https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/urbanization-and-stormwater-runoff

Georgia Public Service Commission:
https://psc.ga.gov




USING THE MATCHING GRAPHICS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The yard signs and social media graphics should reinforce one clear message:

KEEP MORGAN RURAL
NO DATA CENTERS

KEEP THE MESSAGE CONSISTENT
Use the matching red-and-white, green, or yellow graphics with the same wording. Repeated use helps people recognize the campaign online and around the county.
POST ONE GRAPHIC AT A TIME
Upload the original image rather than a screenshot. Use the square designs for regular posts, keeping the lettering large and readable on phones.
ADD A SHORT, PERSONAL CAPTION
Explain why preserving Morgan County’s rural character matters to you. Keep the wording respectful and distinguish confirmed information from rumors.
GIVE EACH POST ONE CLEAR ACTION
Ask people to share the graphic, request a yard sign, read a verified proposal, or attend a confirmed public meeting. Include the relevant contact, link, or meeting details.
MAKE SHARING EASY
Provide the original graphics and a suggested caption so supporters can post them themselves. Share in community groups where permitted and follow each group’s rules.
CONNECT ONLINE POSTS WITH REAL YARD SIGNS
Post occasional photos of installed signs, with the property owner’s permission. Include information about how others can get one.
POST USEFUL UPDATES
Rotate the three designs alongside verified news, sign-distribution details, and meeting reminders. Keep one current information post pinned where possible.
KEEP DISCUSSION CIVIL AND ACCURATE
Answer sincere questions, link to official documents, and correct mistakes promptly. Avoid personal attacks and unverified accusations.

SUGGESTED CAPTION

Morgan County’s farms, open spaces, and rural character are worth preserving. We oppose data centers in our county. Please share this graphic if you agree: Keep Morgan Rural — No Data Centers.

Add confirmed yard-sign pickup details or public-meeting information when available.




YARD SIGN RECOMMENDATION

Message:
KEEP MORGAN RURAL
NO DATA CENTERS

• Size: 24 inches wide × 18 inches tall.
• Material: 4 mm corrugated plastic (Coroplast), suitable for outdoors.
• Print: Same design on both sides, with weather-resistant ink.
• Colors: White background, black lettering, red “NO.”
• Hardware: One metal H-stake per sign.
• Quantity: Request quotes for 100 and 250 signs.

DISPLAY
Place on participating owners’ property with permission. Face signs toward approaching traffic, keep clear of tall grass, and avoid blocking driveway sightlines.

LOCAL PRINTERS
B. I. Print Works
1331 Lions Club Road, Madison
706-204-9215 (tel:706-204-9215)
http://biprintworks.com

DAP Athens
655 Hawthorne Avenue, Suite B, Athens
706-521-8387 (tel:706-521-8387)
http://dapathens.com

COST
Online comparison: Dirt Cheap Signs advertises 100 double-sided signs with stakes and free shipping for $395 ($3.95 each).
http://dirtcheapsigns.com

Suggested planning budget: $500–$800 for 100 signs, allowing for tax, artwork preparation, and a sample. Local prices need quotes.

BEFORE ORDERING

Get a digital proof to check wording, colors, dimensions, and margins.
Request one full-size printed sample on the actual material.
Check the sample outdoors from across the road.
Approve the full order after reviewing it.

Ask each printer to include stakes, artwork preparation, sample cost, tax, delivery or pickup, and turnaround in the quote.