FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2026
Paulding County Residents File Lawsuit Challenging Technology Park Overlay District

 Paulding County, GA — A group of Paulding County residents has filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Other Relief in the Superior Court of Paulding County against Paulding County, Georgia. The lawsuit challenges the validity of Text Amendment 2025-06 and the Technology Park Overlay District (TPOD) that allows hyperscale data centers as a ‘matter of right’ directly adjacent to residential properties. 

 The Petitioners are represented by attorney Robert Abney Fricks, Sr. of Fricks Person Tourville, LLC in Warner Robins, Georgia. Fricks has previously represented citizens in similar challenges to data center projects in other Georgia counties.

The lawsuit alleges that the Paulding County Board of Commissioners approved the TPOD on September 9, 2025, without providing the mandatory public notice required under Georgia law and local ordinances. Specifically, the County failed to mail timely written notice to affected property owners, publish proper newspaper notice, and post required signage. The Petition further alleges that the TPOD was adopted without adequate studies, findings, or meaningful public participation, and that it effectively allows large-scale data centers to bypass traditional zoning protections.

Several Petitioners own property directly adjacent to or within the Bethel Church portion of the TPOD and assert they received no notice of the proposed overlay. The lawsuit details unique harms these neighboring property owners face, including reduced property values, noise and vibration from construction and operations, potential damage to wells, increased traffic, light pollution, and other impacts associated with hyperscale data centers.

The Petition also challenges later Board actions that overrode a Planning Commission recommendation and reduced required residential buffers. While the Board later adopted a temporary moratorium on new data center applications (Resolution 2026-27, effective through January 1, 2027), the Petitioners contend the underlying TPOD remains invalid and was adopted in violation of due process, equal protection, and statutory zoning procedures.

Petitioners seek a declaratory judgment invalidating the text amendments and TPOD, a finding that the County’s actions were ultra vires and unconstitutional, and further relief including a restraining order preventing additional unlawful actions related to the overlays.

 Plaintiff Shannon Utz whose property abuts to one of the parcels said ” We are proud to exercise our rights as citizens to hold our local government accountable and ensure that the laws designed to protect our communities are upheld. This lawsuit is not simply about data centers. It is about transparency, the rule of law, and the fundamental right of citizens to expect their elected officials to follow the same laws they are entrusted to enforce. We believe our community deserves better.”

PROPOSED DATA CENTERS COULD CHANGE PAULDING COUNTY FOREVER

URGENT CALL TO ACTION FOR PAULDING COUNTY CITIZENS: WE MUST ACT NOW!This is an absolutely critical message regarding the immediate future of our community. We must unite right now to force the Board of Commissioners to honor the explicit vote of the people. This moratorium is not enough to protect us—only our immediate, collective action can secure our county.Speaking out will and has made a monumental difference, so PLEASE, PLEASE SPEAK! We desperately need every single resident to attend the upcoming commission meeting and voice their absolute opposition. Even the simplest statement will and has made an impact.We are finally making strides, but we cannot afford to lose momentum. You must get your family, friends, and neighbors involved immediately. It is vital that we do not just fill seats—we need every able person to step up and speak out, as silence is no longer an option.The absolute deadline to sign up to speak is Friday, August 21st at 5:00 p.m. sharp. Do not delay—email rebecca.merideth@Paulding.gov right now to sign up early before it is too late, and instantly share this urgent message across all of your pages to alert every citizen in Paulding County!

KNOW WHERE THEY’RE PLANNED. SPEAK UP. HELP US FIGHT BACK.

Multiple large-scale data center developments are being proposed in Paulding County — some near existing homes and neighborhoods.

Before these projects move forward, Paulding County residents deserve to know where they’re being proposed and have an opportunity to make their voices heard.

TAKE ACTION NOW

📍 SEE WHERE THEY’RE PROPOSED

Find the proposed data center locations and see what’s near your neighborhood.

🎤 SHOW UP & SPEAK — UP TO 5 MINUTES

Attend a Board of Commissioners meeting and tell county leaders directly why you’re concerned.

https://www.paulding.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15535/2026-Meeting-Schedule?bidId=

⚖️ HELP FUND THE LEGAL FIGHT

We’re raising money to retain an attorney to review and, where legally appropriate, challenge these proposed developments and help protect the interests of Paulding County residents.

 DONATE TO THE LEGAL FUND

📍 WHERE ARE THE PROPOSED DATA CENTERS?

Is one of these proposed developments near your home or neighborhood?

See each proposed location, surrounding roads, neighborhoods and other nearby areas that could be affected.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT TO SPEAK UP.

If you’re concerned about data center development in Paulding County, there are several things you can do right now.

✉️ EMAIL THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Tell the commissioners why you’re concerned and what you want them to consider before approving additional data center development.

Possible concerns include:

• Proximity to homes and neighborhoods

• 24/7 operational noise and low-frequency sound

• Property values and marketability

• Electricity demands

• Water usage

• Environmental impacts

• Traffic and infrastructure

• Adequate setbacks and buffers

• Transparency and public notice

• The long-term character of Paulding County

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