Columbus residents want data center put to a vote. Town hall reaches 120 attendees
Seeking clarity, Clean Energy Columbus conducted a town hall Monday night at the Columbus Public Library, where representatives from Environment Georgia and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper shared facts about data centers’ energy and water use throughout Georgia to better inform residents who have a litany of questions about Project Ruby, the proposed hyperscale data center being planned for the Upatoi/Midland area of northeast Muscogee County.
Residents leaned in during a slide show, yearning for answers about data centers, taking pictures of statistics with their phones. One slide created by panelist Janette Gayer, director of Environment Georgia, all the data centers in the Peach State add up to 85 million square feet.
Chris Manganiello, the water policy director for the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, listed a finding that 71,000 gallons per day of water are used, on average, to irrigate 70 acres of agricultural land in Georgia. Project Ruby is reported to need 330,000 gallons of water per day.
The third panelist, Cyndie Hutchings, a fervent voice against data centers in Georgia, told the 120 town hall attendees about her experience in Fayetteville.
Hutchings fled Fayetteville for LaGrange after transmission infrastructure from the QTS data center project encroached on her home. Months after moving to LaGrange, she was confronted with another data center, Project Pegasus.
The panel discussed questions from the audience, including how data centers affect home values, water quality and air quality from potential diesel generators to run as backup power.
Hutchings said it really varies and some residents in Fayetteville took an offer from Georgia Power because they needed to clear the land for transmission lines that would be close to their home.
Manganiello said water that isn’t evaporated is treated and then goes through the sewer system.
Kristin Younguist, the CEC representative who led the town hall, responded to an attendee’s question about diesel generators being used to run as backup power for data centers.
However, this issue of needing generators that would use diesel fuel has not been confirmed by the lead proponent of the proposed data center, Choose Columbus president and CEO Missy Kendrick. She has been the spokeswoman for Project Ruby and has addressed how Habitat Partners Real Estate intends to operate.
“(The Developers) would have to follow all of the air permitting requirements of EPD for any kind of generators when they run the generators,” Kendrick said at a Feb. 24 Columbus Council meeting. “If there’s any pollution that’s associated with their generators, then they’re going to have to follow those air permit requirements.”
‘This issue should be on the ballot’
The issue turned from environmental concern to how much citizens should have a voice in the matter.
“I’m not for this thing at al,” said resident Jeffrey Brogdon. “I moved out to Upatoi to get away from all this. Why aren’t they putting it in the Technology Parkway? It doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand the rationale. This needs to be brought down to a vote about whether we want this for our county.”
Applause erupted throughout the room, followed by Brogdon saying, “Our city councilors should step up and support citizens.”
On the other side of the room, Columbus Councilor Travis Chambers of citywide District 10 was in attendance and listening.
After being thanked by a woman for attending, Chambers was asked for his opinion about the proposed data center. Chambers said he wants to attend public meetings about Project Ruby to decide how he would vote when the council is asked to approve the site’s rezoning and technology overlay district.
“My reason for being here is to hear all perspectives so I can make the best, informed sound decision,” Chambers told the town hall attendees. “I’ve been to the other meeting (referring to the Friday forums Kendrick conducts to hear from residents about economic development concerns) and now this, and I’m gathering my facts so I can make a good sound decision.”
As Chambers walked out of the room, Brogdon asked him whether he signed a nondisclosure agreement to not share details about Project Ruby.
“I haven’t signed anything,” Chambers replied as he exited.
Kim Hicks, who lives on McKee Road and opposes Project Ruby, painted a “NO DATA CENTER” sign on a rock and made shirts with the same message.
“How do we get the other (councilors) here,” Hicks asked Chambers before he left. He did not respond.
Columbus resident Marvin Broadwater said he has been to both of Kendrick’s Friday forums and that officials should share all the information about Project Ruby in one place. He also said the proposed data center should be decided by a public referendum.
“The public has not got enough information,” Broadwater said. “The pros and the cons need to be in the same room. I told the advocates it should be put on the ballot. We, as intelligent voters need to get all the information possible. What you all have done here tonight is phenomenal, but we need more information.”
Could the proposed Columbus data center be on the May 19 ballot
The qualifying timeline to get a referendum on the May 19 ballot ended last week, Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office director Nancy Boren told the Ledger-Enquirer.
“Ballot cutoff is 90 days before the election,” she said, “but it could be by November’s election.”
Boren said the Muscogee County Democratic Party leadership added this straw poll (nonbinding question) for Democrats to answer during the May 19 election:
“Prior to placing data center in Muscogee County, should this be a question on the ballot for voters to decide?”
This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
