A local citizens’ group opposed to plans for a data center at the former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital site has filed formal complaints with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, alleging violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act.
Oppose Atlas DC Battey, which formed in response to Atlas Development LLC’s proposal for the Battey Business Complex at 705 N. Division Street, submitted the complaints on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The group contends that the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority failed to provide proper public notice before a specially called meeting on Aug. 27, during which the authority approved a purchase and sale agreement with the developer.
According to the complaint, neither Rome nor Floyd County commissioners were informed of the agreement until after the meeting had taken place.
Kristie Miner, a co-founder of the citizens’ group, said members turned to the Attorney General after what they viewed as inaction from local officials.
“Our citizens group has given them ample opportunity, even demonstrating a path for them to take action to pause this deal,” Miner said. She added that the group believes local elected officials have been more responsive to staff and development authorities than to residents.
Co-founder Kelly Limes-Taylor said the filing reflects broader concerns about how data center projects are handled across the country.
“This formal complaint addresses the secrecy under which the Atlas deal has taken place,” Limes-Taylor said, arguing that communities are often informed too late and provided with few details about potential impacts. She pointed to what she described as negative effects of similar developments elsewhere and said residents “should have been better informed about this deal.”
More information about the citizens’ group and its efforts is available at their Linktree page or by email.
