APPLING, Ga (WBTW) – A proposed data center in Columbia County the hot topic at a Town Hall meeting in Appling Thursday night.

Many Appling residents expressed their concerns about the proposed data center that commissioners are considering, which is planned to be situated near Club Car and the Amazon Fulfillment Center.

Vin Muller has lived in Appling for 20 years and tells me his main concern is water quality in the area.

“If they are extracting water from the river, what does that mean for the users downstream? But if they are drawing from the aquifer, many people in the Appling area have wells. If they extract 6 million gallons of water a day, which the county indicated as the worst-case scenario, all wells will be depleted, and the aquifer will go dry,” said Muller.

Another concern Muller and others had was how the data center will affect their property values amid rising property taxes.

“When the tax bills were released a month ago, there was significant outcry because the prices increased. I don’t think a data center will enhance my home’s value; I believe it will decrease it, and I expect my taxes to go down if that occurs,” Muller added.

Columbia County District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch mentioned that she and other commissioners expected the residents’ concerns and appreciated the turnout.

“Commissioner Carroway and I are closely in touch with our community, and we anticipated this reaction. We’ve received much feedback and worry from our constituents, which is understandable. We have our concerns as well, as this is a large project for Columbia County that requires thorough vetting and consideration, and that necessitates time,” Couch stated.

Earlier this week, Columbia County Commission Chair Doug Duncan assured that county leaders will not permit any risks to the water tables or the power grid.

There will be another town hall meeting at the Evans Library from 6:30 to 7:30 on Monday.