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August 17, 2026 – The Citizens Voluntary Advisory Committee on Data Centers, or CVAC, will present its findings and recommendations regarding data center development in Macon County during a public meeting Monday, August 31.
The presentation will begin at 5 p.m. at the Decatur Civic Center Theatre and is open to the public. CVAC is also inviting representatives from local governmental bodies with zoning authority in Macon County to attend.
CVAC was formed after debate over potential data center development led to calls for moratoriums. According to the committee, some community stakeholders became concerned that prohibiting data center development could create a perception that Macon County and Decatur were closed to business and potentially limit future economic opportunities.
The committee says it was established to give stakeholders an opportunity to study the issue, gather information and provide advice to elected officials and other interested parties.
CVAC is not a public body and has no public funding, legal authority or governmental charter. The committee says its recommendations are based on the experience of its members, research conducted and presentations from a variety of interests involved in the data center discussion.
CVAC plans to distribute a written report before the August 31 meeting to provide attendees with information ahead of the presentation and discussion.
Because representatives of governmental bodies may attend, those entities may need to provide public notice if a majority of a quorum is expected to be present. CVAC says it will conduct the presentation and proceedings.
The committee is chaired by Jerry Stocks. Other members are Jerry Culp, Julie Miller, Stacey Young, Tom Brinkoetter, Lacie Elzy, Duane Noland, Dan Caulkins, Kris Lutt and Dan Smallwood.
