Bessemer City Council sends proposal for $14.9B data center to planning committee as neighbors continue to express concerns

BESSEMER, Ala. ( WBRC ) - Bessemer city leaders voted Tuesday morning, Aug. 19, to send a proposed $14.9 billion data center project back to the Planning and Zoning Committee after dozens of neighbors raised concerns about environmental and health impacts.

The development, which would be one of the largest data centers in the South, is planned for 675 acres off Rock Mountain Lake Road.

City officials said the project could create 300 jobs in the area. However, residents expressed greater concern about the potential impact of the project on their air and water quality.

Community members packed the city council meeting, urging officials to delay the project until more questions could be answered. Many said they feel left in the dark about the potential risks.

“We have a lot of concerns