My name is Susan, and Carroll County, Georgia, has always been the serene and picturesque environment I call home. Unfortunately, our tranquility is under serious threat from the relentless construction of data centers in our county. As these structures rise, they continue to pave over our landscapes, consume our resources, and leave our cherished community with an uncertain future.

Despite the promise of economic growth, the proliferation of data centers carries significant environmental and social consequences. These massive facilities require enormous amounts of electricity. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers accounted for about 2% of the total energy consumption in the United States by 2020, all while consuming millions of gallons of water for cooling systems.

Furthermore, the noise pollution and increase in traffic disrupt our day-to-day lives, creating an undesirable living environment for families who have resided here for generations. The ever-growing presence of these centers marginalizes our community’s identity and heritage, replacing it with towering structures that serve interests far removed from ours.

The assertion that data centers will bring long-term job creation is misleading. Many data centers operate with minimal staff, mainly offering short-term construction jobs, leaving our local workforce without significant lasting benefit.

We must consider sustainable alternatives that do not compromise the environmental sanctity and quality of life in Carroll County. Instead of permitting the construction of more data centers, let's push for development that aligns with our community's needs and values—championing small businesses, expanding green spaces, and promoting eco-friendly infrastructure projects that provide genuine opportunities for economic advancement.

It's critical for us to take a stand and work toward creating a blueprint for growth that respects and sustains our natural surroundings. Urging local authorities to institute a moratorium on further data center development will give us the necessary time to reassess our community's development goals.

Please support this petition by adding your signature today to safeguard Carroll County's future. Together, we can shape a sustainable and prosperous environment for ourselves and future generations.