he public backlash over the proposed data center in Coweta County, Georgia, has escalated into the courtroom as 17 residents filed a formal appeal last week to overturn the county’s approval of the massive $17 billion Project Sail hyperscale data center campus.

Opponents, led by the grassroots group Citizens for Rural Coweta, argue that county commissioners ignored zoning rules, state law, and residents’ constitutional rights when they narrowly approved rezoning 829 acres of protected rural conservation land in western Coweta County in April.

The lawsuit, filed May 5 in Coweta County Superior Court, claims the 3-2 vote amounted to an abuse of power and violated due process for the more than 1,200 homes located within a mile and a quarter of the site.

What Is Project Sail? The $17 Billion Data Center Proposal Fueling Outrage in Coweta County

Project Sail, initially advanced by Atlas Development LLC and now backed by San Francisco-based industrial giant Prologis, calls for nine massive buildings totaling 4.34 million square feet, plus two substations, on land near Wagers Mill Road and Welcome to Sargent Road—just outside Newnan.

The 900-megawatt facility would rank among Georgia’s largest data centers, clearing hundreds of acres of wooded rural land to meet surging AI and tech demand. Proponents highlight potential tax revenue for schools, roads, and emergency services.

Read: Data centers are popping up everywhere in Georgia.

However, the public backlash over the proposed data center in Coweta County has centered on its location in a rural conservation zone explicitly protected under the county’s comprehensive plan. Residents say the project would permanently alter the character of one of metro Atlanta’s last remaining rural pockets.

Why Coweta County Residents Are Fighting Back: Key Concerns Driving the Backlash

Since the proposal surfaced in late 2024, thousands of Coweta County residents have mobilized under the banner of Citizens for Rural Coweta. An 8,000-signature petition, overflowing commission meetings (many attendees wearing red shirts in protest), and a dedicated “Stop Project Sail” Facebook group reflect the intensity of local opposition.

Steve Swope, co-founder of Citizens for Rural Coweta, has been a vocal leader. “This isn’t about rejecting technology,” Swope stated in earlier public comments. “It’s about where industrial-scale development belongs. This site is surrounded by families and farms—it goes against everything in our comprehensive plan.”

Primary concerns cited in the lawsuit and public hearings include:

  • Loss of protected forest and rural character – The site sits on conservation land near the Chattahoochee River corridor.
  • Environmental and infrastructure strain – Fears of increased noise, traffic, water usage, and power demands in an area already facing growth pressures.
  • Impact on nearby homes and property values – More than 1,200 residences are within close proximity.
  • Procedural violations – Opponents allege the county bypassed its own rules during rezoning, even after a 180-day moratorium and adoption of a new data center ordinance in December 2025.

The controversy mirrors broader tensions across Georgia, where dozens of data center projects are advancing with limited statewide oversight.

Lawsuit Seeks to Reverse Rezoning: What Happens Next?

The appeal asks the court to declare the rezoning invalid and block all construction and operation of Project Sail. Plaintiffs—described as longtime farmers, landowners, and neighbors—say they were effectively shut out of the decision-making process.

Coweta County officials and Atlas Development have not commented publicly on the pending litigation. Prologis has previously emphasized that the project follows standard procedures and would bring significant economic benefits.

Citizens for Rural Coweta leaders have also formed a PAC and launched fundraising efforts, signaling plans to hold accountable the three commissioners who voted in favor during the 2028 election cycle.

Atlanta-Area Residents Watching Closely

As one of metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing counties, Coweta’s data center controversy is drawing attention from neighboring communities concerned about similar proposals. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for how local governments balance tech infrastructure growth against rural preservation.

Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for the latest developments on the Coweta County data center backlash, Project Sail updates, and public opposition to data centers in Georgia. We’ll continue covering how this fight affects Newnan, Sargent, and the broader metro Atlanta region. Have thoughts on the Project Sail data center in Coweta County? Share them in the comments below.