AC repair in Statesboro, GA

Developers are seeking a zoning change to build a two-story data center, with about 115,000 square feet of area per floor, on an almost 27-acre site just inside Statesboro’s city limits on Burkhalter Road.

A company called 4AM Development LLC, which owns the property, is the applicant for the change from an “R-4” high-density residential zoning district to an “O,” or office and business district, for the 26.94-acre parcel. With John Paul Moore of the civil engineering firm Thomas & Hutton listed as agent, this request appears as the fifth of five items on the agenda for the Statesboro Planning Commission’s 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 regular meeting.

The Planning Commission is an appointed seven-member citizen panel expected to make a recommendation. But as a zoning map amendment, the change would require a vote of the elected City Council to grant or deny. Public notice signs on the Burkhalter Road frontage already announce a City Council hearing for the 5:30 p.m. Aug. 18 meeting, as well as this Tuesday’s planning board hearing.

Zoning, not permit

Also, under the Data Center Ordinance enacted by City Council on a 3-1 vote June 2, a special use permit would be required, as data centers are not an automatically allowed use, or “use by right” in any zone. Data centers occupying sites of 50 acres or less may be allowed in highway-oriented commercial, or HOC; light industrial, or LI; mixed-use, or MX; and office, or O, zoning districts.

“The Special Use Permit application shall be separate from the Zoning Map Amendment,” is the last note in the “mitigating factors” section of the report filed by the city Planning and Development Department staff on the zoning change request.

Under the ordinance, any data center is required to use a closed-loop system for cooling and city water and wastewater connections, not a private well or septic system. Ambient noise limits at the property line are to be enforced with testing around a roughly 50-decibel level. An economic impact report showing positive results for the community and a decommissioning plan for eventual shutdown are required.

Several of those things would be considerations for the separate, special use permit process.

But the zoning application report does provide some basic information on the cooling system, proposed water usage and some other aspects.

“The intended data center proposes a water-based cooling system utilizing a closed-loop system,” is another of the “mitigating factors” statements.

That section also states that the applicant has provided a water management plan that indicates an average daily “makeup” water usage, to replenish losses from the closed-loop cooling system, of 30 to 100 gallons per day.

The would-be developers further predict peak daily demand for both cooling and “domestic” use (such as for restrooms) of 1,000 gallons per day, but a “projected monthly average” of 12,000 gpd, according to the staff report summary.

Under the city’s Unified Development Code, “the site is required to provide additional setbacks, buffers and screening adjacent to residential use and other non-residential uses,” the report also notes.

Location, location …

The parcel of land, with the address 6539 Burkhalter Road, has a mainly triangular shape, with the longest side being the Burkhalter frontage to the southeast. A tree-covered western corner meets the road beside the end of the established Cottage Row housing development, which in turn is behind the Stay Plus Extended Stay Suites hotel from the Fair Road, or State Route 67, intersection.

The western side of the triangular property extends behind the Cottage Row neighborhood to the point of the triangle at a small wooded area behind Aspen Heights, and leg of the property extends off the point of the triangle as a narrow, wooded area between Aspen Heights and an existing solar power panel farm.

The north-to-northeast side of the triangular acreage follows the boundary of the solar farm, and existing Georgia Power transmission lines, almost back to Burkhalter.

Currently just one structure, described in the city report as “a historic house … circa 1930,” is on the property, visible at the Burkhalter Road address. The property was previously a farm.

Power and plan

A concept plan included with the report labels the proposed two-story data center as having a 40- to 90-megawatt power requirement. Again, the building would occupy roughly 115,000 square feet of ground but stack two stories for apparently about 230,000 square feet of floor space.

In concept, a 32,000-square-foot, or roughly three-fourths of an acre, rectangle inside the eastern corner of the triangular tract is designated for a Georgia Power substation to connect with the existing transmission lines.

A proposed access road for the data center is drawn with an entrance from Burkhalter Road near the existing house. The access road, 30 feet wide, is shown forming a loop around the data center building, with the road and parking spaces inside the loop on the west side adding to the setback from Cottage Row housing.

A detention pond, shown as a smaller triangle with rounded corners, is proposed in the western, or back, corner of the property, where it would be between the loop road and the setbacks from Cottage Row and Aspen Heights.

4AM … who?

The zoning change applicant, 4AM Development LLC, has owned the land and house since Aug. 29, 2025, when it was transferred from Habersham Development Group LLC for zero dollars, according to prior-sale information on the Bulloch County Board of Tax Assessors database.

A Georgia limited-liability company, 4 AM Development, registered with the state since Dec. 15, 2023, has a principal office address at Appling, Georgia, in Columbia County near Augusta, and its registered agent, Darren Meadows, has an Augusta address. Bobby Bagwell signed as an authorizing member some years, as seen in documents on the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office database.

Habersham Development Group had purchased the property Jan. 10, 2025, reportedly for about $2.75 million, from Randy Childs and others, who had received it by zero-dollar transfer the day before from Four Guys Development LLC, according to the assessors’ database.

Four Guys Development was the limited liability company, with local investors, that successfully requested the city’s annexation of this 26.94-acre parcel in January 2024. At that time, it was proposed to become a “cottage court” subdivision for about 87 small-lot, single-family homes and immediately rezoned to R-4 high-density residential.

Zoning matters

One or more city staff members, in their report on the 4AM Development request, noted that Statesboro’s 2024 Comprehensive Master Plan shows this property as part of a “Developing Neighborhood” area. After stating that “neighborhood serving commercial development” can also be located in such areas, the report describes “O,” or office and business district, as “compatible zoning for this area.”

The property does contain some wetlands, and is currently under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for possible impacts of the project, the city report notes.

Nothing in that preliminary report for zoning indicates how many people the data center might employ. But the report repeatedly suggests that the data center would produce less traffic than would have been created by R-4 high-density housing.

One standard question in the zoning analysis asked if the property to be rezoned has “a reasonable economic use as currently zoned.”

The city staff answered in writing, “Analysis: Yes, however, the previous proposed (multi-family housing) would add additional traffic to already congested intersection of Burkhalter Road, Cawana Road and Fair Road.”

A further note in the “mitigating factors” section states: “The traffic would be substantially less compared to the previous multi-family project. The traffic study for that project was provided by the applicant.”

The staff is recommending conditional approval of the rezoning request with just one condition. That condition would require 4AM Development LLC to provide a 10-foot-wide strip of property along the Burkhalter Road frontage to the city for roadway improvements in accordance with the “previously approved” traffic analysis.

Not Bulloch’s rules

This property, like the rest of Statesboro, is within Bulloch County. But since being annexed by the city two and a half years ago, it is subject to the city’s zoning rules and jurisdiction, not the county’s.

The city and county have taken dramatically different tacks in regard to data centers. In early May, the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners extended a previous 90-day moratorium against permitting any data centers in the county unincorporated area to Dec. 31. Commissioners also instructed staff to begin the process for prohibiting data centers outright in the county jurisdiction.

Recently voted forward by the county Planning and Zoning Commission (not to be confused with the city board), an amendment designed to accomplish that and also scrub provisions for “crypto-mining operations” from county ordinances is on the agenda for the Board of Commissioners 5:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting.

Nor Effingham’s scale

With a proposed 27-acre site and apparently up to 90-megawatt power consumption, the proposed Burkhalter Road data center is also on a much different scale that OpenAI’s recently announced 1,400-acre data center campus planned for the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub in Effingham County. OpenAI has reportedly contracted with Georgia Power for 3.2 gigawatts (in other words 3,200 megawatts) of power for that project.

Sustain Southern hosted the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market at the Russell Union Rotunda on Wednesday, allowing local businesses to set up shops for students to browse.

Vendors brought farm goods, baked goods, herbs, spices, jams, honey, hand-crafted soaps, jewelry, candles and more.

A local business, Hazelnut Pastures, brought goods from their very own Brooklet farm. “We offer beyond organic and pasture-raised beef, raw milk, and so we just try to help people detox their bodies,” said Claudia Hazel, co-owner of Hazelnut Pastures.

Rooty Branch Farms, a local plant nursery, was also set up at the farmers market. “I brought my herbs and goodies to the students here,” said Jules Roberson, owner of the nursery. “I grow most of everything myself from seed. All of my seasonings are handcrafted and hand-blended, and we have over 43 varieties of peppers and over 50 varieties of tomatoes,” she continued.

Another local business, SunnySue Soaps, brought a variety of hygienic products. “I make all of my soaps using milk from my goats,” said Sandra Walsh, owner of SunnySue Soaps. “It’s handcrafted so you won’t find it in stores,” she continued.

Many of the vendors grabbed the attention of students passing by, such as Faith Mitchell.

“I’ve been here for three years and I’ve never seen this kind of event before,” Mitchell said. “I like the fact that they have all of these sustainability shops out here, it’s pretty cool,” she continued.

“I love plants, I saw someone carrying a plant, and I’m like, I gotta get me a plant,” said student, Adwyn Brown.

“The students love connecting with the community and local vendors, and what better way than to connect with the Main Street Farmers Market,” said event facilitator, Xander Russell. “They do it every Saturday in downtown Statesboro, but we wanted to bring it to campus, and so we had them come out and kind of facilitate a combination event,” Russell continued.

“We just wanted to give students a sample of what they can find at the local farmers market,” said Market2Go manager, Michelle Giden.

The Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 222 S Main St, Statesboro, GA 30458.

Fifteen years, more than $1.3 million donated and more than 150 families supported. This September, Raising Cane’s celebrates a milestone partnership with Kidd’s Kids and invites Customers across south Georgia to be part of what comes next.

On Tuesday, September 15, participating Raising Cane’s Restaurants will donate $1 from every Box Combo purchased to Kidd’s Kids, up to $100,000, helping the nonprofit provide children with critical illnesses and their families with an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World.

The annual fundraiser has become a longstanding tradition for Raising Cane’s, rooted in owner and founder Todd Graves’ personal connection to Kidd’s Kids and its mission. Graves grew up listening to legendary Dallas radio personality and Kidd’s Kids Founder Kidd Kraddick and later experienced the organization’s impact firsthand when he joined families on a Kidd’s Kids trip in 2012. That experience inspired what has grown into 15 years of support from Raising Cane’s.

“This year gives us even more to celebrate,” said Executive Director of Kidd’s Kids, Lyndsay Davis. “As Raising Cane’s marks its 30th birthday and Kidd’s Kids celebrates 35 years, we’re incredibly proud to also commemorate 15 years of partnership. These three milestones represent decades of bringing people together, creating unforgettable experiences and making a meaningful difference in the Communities we serve. We’re grateful for Raising Cane’s continued support and look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.”

Customers can join the celebration on September 15 by purchasing a Box Combo at participating Raising Cane’s Restaurants. Whether dining in, visiting the Drive-Thru or ordering through the Cane’s mobile app, $1 from each Box Combo purchased will support Kidd’s Kids, up to $100,000.

Participating Savannah Restaurants include:

The celebration will take on special meaning in Dallas-Fort Worth, where Raising Cane’s will team up with the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show for a special Dine-In Day, joined by current and former Kidd’s Kids participants and their families.

STATESBORO, Ga. —

After a season-opening win, the Georgia Southern Eagles will hit the road this weekend with a tough matchup against the Clemson Tigers in Death Valley.

And after Clemson’s demolition at the hands of LSU this past Saturday night, they figure to be dealing with an angry bunch of Tigers.

Things went pretty well for the Georgia Southern Eagles at Paulson Stadium this past Saturday night, as they came away with an impressive 31-0 season-opening victory over Charleston Southern.

But things will not be quite as easy this coming weekend, as the Eagles step up in competition, traveling to Clemson and Death Valley to take on the Clemson Tigers.

And it will be even more of a challenge for the Eagles because they will be facing an angry group of Tigers who were demolished 51-10 in their season opener at LSU, but it’s a challenge the Eagles welcome.

”Man, what a special opportunity." said Clay Helton, Georgia Southern head football coach. "What a special privilege, you know, to take our football team and, and now step up a level in talent. In our opponent and personnel and our opponent and see where we are.”

“Playing on the biggest stage in front of a lot of people is what a lot of us prayed about," said Aaron Sears, Georgia Southern defensive back. "And so it'll be a lot more excitement, but, at the end of the day, we've just got to go out and take care of business and do what the coaches tell us to do.”

The Eagles, on the other hand, were solid in their 31-0 win over Charleston Southern last weekend, but despite that, there is still room for improvement.

“I think for me, I would like to be even higher than 72%," said Max Johnson, Georgia Southern quarterback. "Coach put me in great positions to go out there and succeed for the offense, you know, great position to go out there and succeed. Ultimately, again, I want to go out there and score more points.”

Georgia Southern and Clemson will kick off at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 12, in Death Valley.

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Statesboro homeowners may see an increase in property taxes under the city’s proposed budget, which includes raising the millage rate to 9.6 mills.

The increase could mean a yearly cost of about $95 more for an average $250,000 home.

Public hearing draws complaints

Statesboro homeowners took turns at the microphone, making their frustrations known during Tuesday night’s public hearing.

“Property tax owners are feeling the pinch,” Cathy Dixon said.

“What you’re saying and what I’m hearing are two different things,” one resident said.

“Y’all ever thought of tightening the belt a little bit?” another resident said.

The current millage rate is 8.625 mills.

Why city leaders say the increase is needed

City leaders say revenue from the increase will help balance the 2027 budget. One key need is funding the city’s fire department.

This comes after a 2025 decision in which Bulloch County ended its fire protection agreement with the city.

“Which resulted in a loss of $2.7 million to the city of Statesboro,” City Manager Charles Penny said. “Public safety is one of the main drivers for the proposed increase of our millage rate.”

Penny said the city must increase the rate to prevent laying off more than 60 city employees.

Homeowners react

Homeowners say they want a more equitable way to find the funds so they won’t feel the brunt of the cost.

“You can make a decision if you want to pay two hundred dollars worth of groceries, you can’t make a decision on two thousand dollars worth of property tax, you have to pay it,” said Cathy Dixon, a Statesboro homeowner.

As residents took turns expressing their concerns, they shined a light on one group most affected.

“Especially when you get elderly people whose income is limited, and its hurt by the property taxes they have to pay,” Dixon said.

State grant to help offset costs

The city says it has received a five-month state grant to help lower taxes and cover the fire revenue loss. However, that money cannot be fully used until 2028.

At that time, Penny says the millage rate can be reduced by around 2.1 mills.

“And if it had not been for the state making that available to us, our situation would be more dire than it is today,” Penny said.

The final public hearing will be Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m. City Council will then vote to approve the millage rate proposal.