Recently, Candler County Administrator Bryan Aasheim issued a statement that the Commissioners had not been approached or approved any deal to rezone or construct a data center in the county, and now the Candler County Industrial Authority has weighed in on the issue.

In a written statement, Candler County Industrial Authority Chair Dustin Durden said that the Authority had had discussions with landowners of property located at the end of Airport Road in Metter regarding development opportunities, including the potential of more industries and a data center.

But even though the Authority has had those discussions, that doesn’t mean the Commissioners have been involved, so what the County Administrator said earlier this week is factual and the Board of Commissioners isn’t trying to hide or side-step the issue.

Authority Chair Durden said discussions of how the land will be developed remains broad and that no agreement or commitment has been reaching regarding any project. He adds that the Authorities’ role to date has been limited to facilitating conversations and helping explore a number of development opportunities.

Durden said the Authority remains focused on its mission of promoting responsible economic development that brings quality, good-paying jobs, and significant capital investments to Metter and Candler County, and he says the Authority will continue to evaluate opportunities that can strengthen the local economy and provide long-term benefits to the community.