<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0PPU1N_1GznmDm300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0PPU1N_1GznmDm300" width="1200" height="600" >LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) - Changes on the Lowndes County Commission could influence future decisions about a controversial data center coming to the county.The commission has faced criticism for recently approving construction of the data center with a 20-year tax abatement.Clifford “Cee” Jackson was sworn in as the commission’s newest member, representing District 1. He replaces Robert Harris, who supported the data center. Jackson says he opposes it.“I especially oppose data centers in rural areas such as the location that is being discussed at this time. You know, I would hope they would look for other areas,” Jackson said. “People have been kind of down. I’m happy to be a part of a reason why we see some smiles today. So, I’m thankful for that,” he added.Commissioner Dickinson Farrior, a data center opponent, also replaced data center supporter Charlie King Jr. as chairman.Harris and King Jr. cast two of the three votes needed to approve Project Red Clay last month. Jackson opposes the project, so it would likely fail if a vote were held today.Asked whether the commission could do anything to stop construction of the data center now that Jackson has joined, Farrior said the commission was looking into it.“Well, we’re looking at that. You know, we’d like to stop it because it’s going to affect the lives. It’s going to affect the water, the electricity, the health, the environment of everybody that lives up there,” Farrior said. “That’s the only part of the county that’s growing for the county. You think people are going to move in with a data center coming in? It’s going to kill the growth to our county.”King Jr. continued his support of the project. “The tax abatement with the data center is a lot better than the one that was given to GE (the current SABIC plant). GE had 40 years tax abatement with no money. The data center has a 20-year tax abatement with 50-50. That means if the data center makes $2.00, the county gets $1.00 of that $2.00,” he explained. “At the end of the 20 years, this county will have received $3.9 billion.”SABIC recently announced they will close operations in Lowndes County in February. Farrior quickly responded and emphasized the $3.9 billion is just a projection. The changes to the commission were a welcome shift for most of the packed crowd.“We’re overjoyed, everyone in Lowndes County should be here to celebrate because this is where we’re headed in the right direction and it’s so overdue,” Lowndes County resident Dianne Stuckey said.Kimesha Alvarado, who lives in neighboring Dallas County, sees the benefits of the data center.“There’s no development in the Black Belt. I mean, other than chicken and poultry plant,” said Alvarado. “We’re tired of chicken plants. It stinks. It’s running off in our waters. It’s more toxic to human life than it is any data center could be. So, am I opposed to it? Depending on where it’s at.”The commission also terminated their attorney - State Rep. Prince Chestnut - who was representing them in ongoing lawsuits claiming they violated the open meetings act when approving the data center. They replaced him with well-known lawyer, civil rights activist, and former State Senator Hank Sanders. Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store! </div></body>

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) - Changes on the Lowndes County Commission could influence future decisions about a controversial data center coming to the county. The commission has faced criticism for recently approving construction of the data center with a 20-year tax abatement. Clifford “Cee” Jackson was sworn in as the...

Lowndes County Commission shakeup could shift stance on data center

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) - Changes on the Lowndes County Commission could influence future decisions about a controversial data center coming to the cou

Lowndes County Commission shakeup could shift stance on data center

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