The Center of Controversy: AI, Data Centers, and the Future of GA

Giant data centers—often called "hyperscalers"—are moving into small towns across the country. They bring massive tax revenue and infrastructure, but they also bring concerns about water use, noise, and power grids. We’re getting together to discuss what this could mean for our specific community.
This isn't a protest or a pep rally; it’s a civil, fact-based deep dive into our town's future.

5:30-- Networking at STARTUP COLUMBUS

6:00-- Presentation and Discussion

7:17-- Discussion at NONIC in COLUMBUS, GA

The Ground Rules

To keep things productive, we ask every participant to:

• Bring Receipts: If you have a concern or a benefit to share, try to bring a source (a news article, a study, or a city council report).
• Play "What If?": Don't just state a position; come prepared with a contingency. If you support the build, what’s the plan if water levels drop? If you oppose it, how do we fill the tax revenue gap it was meant to cover?

Topics on the Table

We’ll break into small groups to talk through specific "Community Benefit Agreements," such as:

• Education: Could we negotiate STEM scholarships for local students or vocational training for data center techs?
• Housing: Should the town demand housing grants or developer-funded infrastructure to offset rising property costs?
• Resources: Discussion on cooling methods and noise mitigation.
• Long-term Outlook: What happens to these "gray boxes" in 20 years if technology changes?

Who should attend?

Local residents, business owners, and anyone curious about the intersection of big tech and small-town life. Come ready to listen, learn, and brainstorm.

• Important to know

We normally use the first 30 min to socialize a bit and will start the presentation promptly at 6pm. The group meets for drinks & discussion at Nonic after the meetup. All are welcome to attend.