State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) discussed the possibility of additional data centers in North Alabama on Thursday's episode of Huntsville WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show."
"I've been a broken record on the energy needs we have in North Alabama, and data centers are not at the top of my list," Givhan told host Dale Jackson. "If they are going to come one way or the other, then why should we give them a tax break? Originally, we gave them a 30-year tax break. Now we give them a 20-year tax break, and I'm questioning why do we give any tax break at all if they're coming one way or the other."
Givhan believes two primary factors must be considered when planning a data center.
"Energy in North Alabama's got to be a major concern about how we deal with the data centers. I think you've also got to look at your employee mix," Givhan explained. "Is that what we need in our market versus, say, Loudoun County, where everybody's out with the pitchforks, trying to keep them out of their backyard. But that would be an incredible boost to their tax base and give them some jobs down there that they desperately need."
He addressed the possibility of legislative changes at the state level, allowing counties more power in accepting or rejecting data centers in their communities.
"I would be surprised to see that happen. I can't say that it's not. I haven't heard anybody discuss it, other than maybe uniquely some local legislators for one county," Givhan noted.
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