LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The pause on potential data centers coming to Lee County will continue for the time being.

The Lee County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, Nov. 10 to consider a resolution to extend the moratorium relating to the zoning, rezoning, development, permitting, and construction of any data centers in unincorporated areas of the county to June 30, 2027.

[THE DIGITAL FRONTIER: Georgia’s Data Dilemma]

The extension of the moratorium was approved at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Leaders said they need more time to work on a draft ordinance for any new data center proposed in the county. This is the second time commissioners have extended the moratorium. They said they hope to get more public comment and information before adopting an ordinance and ending the moratorium.

Lee County Commission Chairman Luke Singletary said the current moratorium was set to expire Dec. 31.

“We’re almost done, but our current moratorium would run out on December 31st, so we’re just extending it to give a little bit more time for some public input and just to fine tune,” Singletary said.

He said public input will help determine “what is right for our community.”

The moratorium will now extend until the end of June 2027. If the county adopts a data center ordinance before then, the moratorium will end automatically.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sustainability? Occupancy? Location? Leesburg data center ordinance faces pushback ahead of city council vote

FULL TEXT OF THE MORATORIUM

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Lee County, Georgia, adopted Resolution No. 2025-20 establishing a temporary moratorium on the zoning, rezoning, development, permitting and construction of Data Centers in the unincorporated areas of Lee County, Georgia, on the 9th day of December, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 2026-12 on June 9, 2026, amending the Initial Resolution by extending the moratorium termination date from July 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Lee County has determined that additional time is needed for the County and County Staff to review and prepare legally proper provisions to be included in the County Code of Ordinances to regulate Data Centers in the unincorporated areas of Lee County, and that the moratorium should therefore be extended for an additional six months, through June 30, 2027; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has determined that the amendment of such Resolution is in the best interest of Lee County and the citizens of Lee County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Lee County, Georgia, and it is hereby resolved by authority of the same, as follows:

1. That the Initial Resolution, Resolution No. 2025-20, adopted on December 9, 2025, establishing a moratorium on Data Centers within the unincorporated areas of Lee County, as previously amended by Resolution No. 2026-12, is hereby further amended by extending the moratorium termination date from December 31, 2026, to June 30, 2027, at midnight.

2. That the staff of Lee County shall continue to work on the drafting of a proposed Ordinance regarding the proper location and regulation of Data Centers in Lee County during the term of the moratorium as extended by this amended Resolution.

3. That the terms of the Initial Resolution, as previously amended, shall not be revised, amended, or changed by the terms of this Second Amendment to said Resolution, except that the expiration date of such moratorium shall be extended to the date provided in this Resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Resolutions or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby rescinded.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective upon the date and time of the adoption thereof as set out below.

SO RESOLVED, effective this 10th day of November, 2026 by the governing body of Lee County, Georgia.

Similar policy in neighboring Albany

There’s also a moratorium on data centers in Albany. A 12-month pause was put in place by commissioners on July 28.

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