re: Question(s) about data centers

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FORSYTH, Ga. — Republican candidate for Georgia governor, Rick Jackson, met with voters in Forsyth on Thursday morning.

There, he talked about his background and made his pitch to voters. He also took questions from the audience about topics like taxes and healthcare.

13WMAZ's Conner Hendricks caught up with Jackson to ask about his position on data centers.

He said they should only go to communities that want them, and said they can bring economic benefits.

Jackson says if deals are set up correctly, they can eliminate some cities' property taxes and reduce power bills.

“I would never suggest that happen over the will, the obligation of the people that they want, but I think they ought to take a real good look at it," Jackson said. "But, make sure it’s done correctly to solve the problems-- economics-- for that community," he said.

Data centers are a contentious issue in Monroe County. There, one data center has been approved, another denied, and a third currently in limbo.

This week, 13WMAZ received audio from a source who was at a campaign stop in south Georgia, where Jackson told the crowd he invests in a data center in Texas. We asked him if that was true.

"Yes, I do," he said. "I do have an investment and that's the reason I'm knowledgeable about it."

Jackson said that for his investment, he had to provide a letter of credit to the power company, and that it didn't cost him.

"I found out, in Georgia is the same way," he said. "Georgia Power does not pass that cost on to anybody."

He added that Georgia Power has frozen their power rates.

Because of his investment in a Texas data center, he said the experience has helped him know more about them.

"I can take that that capability of understanding business transactions and convert it into reducing, helping affordability," he said. "Increasing revenue and expenses so you can cut down on taxes."

He said he understands that some Georgians might be concerned about data centers, but said they could be a great opportunity for rural areas.

As gubernatorial candidates make their way through Central Georgia, 13WMAZ is doing sit-down interviews with them, and we've asked each of them their positions on data centers.

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