DeKalb data center event weighs environmental, economic impacts

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Most seats were filled Wednesday at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, where DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson hosted a town hall examining the growing interest in data centers and their potential impact on the community. 

The event brought together local and regional experts to discuss how the rapidly expanding industry affects energy use, infrastructure and economic growth. Atlanta trails only Northern Virginia in proposed new data centers, a boom fueled in part by the rise of artificial intelligence. 

Cochran-Johnson said DeKalb currently has three applications under review and recently issued a moratorium on new construction, effective Oct. 16 through Dec. 16, to allow time to study environmental effects and develop clearer guidelines.