Official statements regarding Data Center in Colleton County
The Press and Standard spoke with Eagle Rock Partners, LLC and the Southern Environmental Law Center and asked for statements from each organization on their positions on the development of the proposed data center in Colleton County. Below are statements from each organizations representing their stance on this issue.
Eagle Rock Partners
Terry Rennaker (Principal Eagle Rock Partners, LLC)
We appreciate the opportunity to provide accurate information about our project and address concerns that have been raised.
Environmentally Responsible Site Design
Environmental stewardship has guided our planning from the start. Our facility is positioned on land with a long history of commercial timber production, and our buildings are set back from wetland areas to provide meaningful natural buffers. We are committed to working collaboratively with Colleton County leadership to protect the watershed and will fully comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
We will leave a 150’ forested buffer around the site and will maintain a minimum setback for the buildings of 200’.
The lighting will comply with the requirement. “All outdoor lighting shall be downcast and arranged to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties.” We also intend to prevent light pollution into the night sky.
Water Use & Cooling Technology
We want to be very clear on this point: our closed-loop cooling system does not consume large amounts of water. After initial fill, the system operates with zero ongoing water consumption. It is a sealed system that does not draw from local water resources and does not discharge any chemicals into wastewater systems. The only regular water use at our facility will be standard domestic use by employees. Claims to the contrary do not reflect how this widely used technology actually operates. The water consumed will be roughly equal to 50 residences.
Noise Levels
Modern data centers are designed to operate quietly. Advances in cooling technology, building design, and sound attenuation allow today’s facilities to function without creating significant noise impacts for surrounding properties. This is not the loud industrial use that some may imagine. We will comply with the ordinance which requires a maximum of 65db at the property line. We are proposing a 150’ forested buffer around the entire site with a minimum 200’ setback for the buildings. In most cases the buildings are over 500’ from the property line.
Economic Benefits Without Overburdening Services Data centers bring quality jobs to the communities where they locate without creating the service demands associated with other large employers. Independent research from projects across the country has documented these benefits, and we would be glad to share those studies with interested parties. This project will create 450 full time jobs with average salaries over $100,000 per year. It will also create 1,000 – 1,500 construction jobs during the 5-10 years of build out.
Expanded Tax Base for Community Investment
Beyond job creation, this project represents a major capital investment that will significantly expand Colleton County’s tax base. The resulting revenue can help fund improvements to schools, roads, and other public services that benefit all residents.
No Electric Rate Increases for Local Customers
We understand that residents may have questions about impacts on their electricity bills. The answer is straightforward: our project will not cause rate increases for Coastal Electric customers. Any costs associated with grid upgrades to serve our facility will be paid by us, the developer—not ratepayers. The community will benefit from a more resilient local grid at no additional cost. Coastal Electric Cooperative has been a close partner throughout this process and can speak to these arrangements directly.
We believe informed discussion leads to better outcomes, and we remain committed to transparency as this project moves forward.
ORDINANCE 25-0-10
COUNCIL-ADMINISTRATORFORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR COLLETON
COUNTY
(An Ordinance to Amend Title 14-Land Management, Article 14.04-6.040 to add the definition “Data Center”, Article 14.08-2 Zoning District Regulations and Article 14.08-3 Conditional Uses, of the Colleton County Code orOrdinances I
WHEREAS, the Colleton County Council has determined it is in the best interest of the citizens of Colleton County to update the Land Management Ordinance to address emerging industries and land uses; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of data centers represents a growing economic sector that requires proper regulation and placement within the zoning framework of Colleton County; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of County Council to amend the Colleton County Code of Ordinances to include a definition for “Data Center” and to specify its use and conditions within certain zoning districts;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY COLLETON COUNTY COUNCIL,
DULY ASSEMBLED THAT:
Title 14 - Land Management, Article 14.08-2 Zoning District Regulations, is hereby amended to include “Data Center” as a Conditional or Special Exception use within designated zoning districts as detennined appropriate by County Council.
Amend Section 14.04-6.040 - Definitions to add Data Center, means facility, or campus of facilities, engaged in the storage, management,
processing, hosting, or transmission of data and related services, and which houses computer systems, network equipment, seivers, appliances, and other associated components and structures customarily incidental or related to such operations. Cryptocurrency processing facilities are specifically excluded from this definition.
Amend Seetion 14.08-2.050.3 - to add “Data Centers” as a Special Exception in the RD-1 zoning designation
Amend Seetion 14.08-2.060.3 - to add “Data Centers,, as a Special Exception in the RD-2 zoning designation
Amend Section 14.08-2.125.3 - to add “Data Centers” as a Special Exception in the LID zoning designation
Amend Section 14.08-2.130.2 - to add “Data Centers” as a Conditional Use in the ID zoning designation
Amend Section 14.08-2.135.2 - to add “Data Centers” as a Conditional Use in the HID zoning designation
Amend section 14.08-3 - Conditional Uses is hereby amended to include “Data Center’’ as a conditional use, subject to the following standards:
I. Data Center Development.
A “Data Center Development” shall refer to the entire contiguous tract of land presented for development as a Data Center.
2. Height Regulations. Principal buildings shall not exceed seventy-five (7S) feet in height, measured from structure pad level. This height limitation shall not apply to accessory structures such as water towers, conveyor belts, or other incidental and uninhabited structures. Structures proposed to be located within the Airport Compatibility
Overlay Zone (AC-O) -Lowcountry Regional Airport shall follow prescriptions for the Airport Overlay Zone (AC-0) 14.08-2.150.
3. Setbacks: For prescribed yards as defined in section 14.04-63.040 with
specific parameters outlined in 14.08-2.010.D.2
a. Front yard setback: Two hundred (200) feet.
b. Side yard setback: Two hundred (200) feet.
c. Rear yard setback: Two hundred (200) feet
4. Minimum Lot Requirements.
a. Lot frontage: Minimum of one hundred ten (110) feet adjoining a street.
b. Lot width at building line: Minimum of four hundred (400) feet
c. Lot acreage: Minimum of three hundred (300) acres in non-industrial zoning designations.
5. Buffer Requirements:
Specific to RD-1 and RD-2 Zoning Designations:
A minimum one hundred fifty (150) foot-wide forested buffer to provide 100% opacity from surrounding thoroughfares and adjoining properties. This buffer may be located within required building setbacks.
Specific to Industrial Zoning Designations:
A minimum fifty (SO) foot wide forested buffer in addition to prescribed industrial zone buffer requirements to provide 1000/4 opacity from sU1Tounding thoroughfares and adjoining properties not zoned Industrial. This buffer may be located within required building setbacks.
6. HVAC and Mechanical Screening. All air conditioning units and HVAC systems shall be thoroughly screened from view from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties using buildings, walls, fencing, roof elements, or landscaping.
7. Front Building Facade. The front building facade of principal structures shall be oriented toward street fronts or adjacent arterial street fronts. This requirement does not apply where the building is more than S00 feet from the public right-of-way or not visible from it.
8. Security Fencing. Security fencing and walls along the right-of-way shall not be located within the required buffer unless they comply with Section 14.08-4.030.
9. Accessory Structures. Accessory structures shall comply with applicable Colleton County Code provisions. However, accessory structures that meet the buffer setbacks outlined in Section 14.08-2.0S0 are permitted. Guardhouses and secure enby features are expressly permitted at public road entrances.
10. Internal Subdivision Flexibility. Required setbacks and buffers apply only to the external boundaries of the overall Data Center Development. Minimum frontage, lot width, and lot acreage do not apply to subdivided lots within the development, provided:
a. The overall tract meets the requirements of this section, and
b. Each subdivided lot has adequate access via public or private roads.
11. Private Roads. Private roads within the Data Center Development are pennitted and shall be designed and constructed in accordance with County public road standards under the Colleton County Code.
12. Alternative Power Sources. Onsite power generation through the use of natural gas, solar or other renewables shall be pennitted. All applicable construction pennits (air, building, etc.) shall be obtained.
13. Conflicting Provisions. In the event of a conflict between this Section and any other provisions of the Colleton County Code, this Section shall govern.
14. Prohibited Use. Cryptocurrency processing is not permitted under the provisions of this Section.
I5. Lighting. All outdoor lighting shall be downcast and arranged to prevent light trespass onto adjacent properties.
16. Noise. Sound levels at any property line shall not exceed sixty-five (6S) decibels, except during emergency generator testing. Such emergency generator testing shall be limited to once per week, conducted only on weekdays between the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Severability.
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
Conflict.
Provisions in other County Ordinances, Resolutions, policies, or by-laws in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
This Ordinance shall take effect upon 3rd reading by County Council, on the 10th day of November 2025.
Southern Environmental Law Center
Robby Maynor (Climate Campaign Associate)
I was proud to join the hundreds of concerned citizens who filled the Civic Center auditorium to oppose this massive data center complex proposed in the ACE Basin in December. The community made itself very clear: this is the wrong place for a data center complex, and we need more transparency in major land use and economic development processes like this in Colleton County. Growth can be beneficial, but only if balanced to protect our irreplaceable natural resources, rural communities, and high quality of life. If anywhere, an 850-acre data center complex belongs in an industrial area, not in the rural ACE Basin.
This proposal does not fit with the Colleton County comprehensive plan, which states that this area should remain rural, and supports “residential uses at low densities to protect areas adjacent to farmland/cropland/agricultural uses.” That’s why SELC, on behalf of local
residents, filed a lawsuit challenging the ordinance that allows data centers in these rural areas of Colleton County.
I hope the project developer and decision makers in Colleton County will follow the comprehensive plan, listen to the many community voices opposed to this project, and decide not to move forward with this ill-advised proposal.
Official statements regarding Data Center in Colleton County
Proposed ACE Basin Data Center
Map provided by Southern Environmental Law Center
•Boundaries, building, and structures digitized from the source map
titled “Hickory Valley Tech Park Area Plan”
•Sources: USGS-3DEP, USFWS-NWI, FEMANFHL: TNC-SC; Open Infrastructure; US Census Bureau Author: Jovian Sackett (jsackett@
selc.org) Last Update: 12/16/2025
