Staff Writer: Layne Woods
Project Arrowhead seeks to build a data center in Irwinville, Georgia. The data center is currently under construction. It would also be built near the Alapaha River on farmland that currently belongs to Marvin Peavy. Peavy has voiced concerns about the data center about the amount of water it would cost to operate and the amount of noise the data center’s machinery and how that could impact nearby wildlife.
Data centers are constantly making noise whether it is from the cooling fans, generators, or other machinery. The noise can travel considerable distances and disrupt many animals’ habitats. This is considered noise pollution, and it can disrupt animal communication which makes it more difficult for animals to mate or warn each other of predators. Additionally, noise pollution makes it harder for foraging animals to find food.
Not only would the data center cause noise pollution, but it would also be a source of light pollution since it would constantly be operating and needing illumination. Light pollution also affects animals’ behavior. Migratory birds often fly during the night and use moonlight to guide them to their destination. According to the American Bird Conservatory, nearly four million birds die annually due to colliding into illuminated buildings that they had mistaken for the moon due to their bright light.
Environmental advocate John S. Quarterman of the WWALS Watershed Coalition has also voiced concerns over what the data center could mean for the county. Specifically, he is worried about the amount of water that would be required to operate the data center. This could lead to a decrease in available water for farmlands and for people to use for drinking, showering, or other necessary activities.
Other people throughout Irwin County have also voiced their issue about the data center and what it will mean for their electricity and water bills. Irwin County Chairman, Vince Thompson, has stated that the price of both is predicted to remain the same, but most are skeptical of this.
Large data centers can use up to five million gallons of water per day. The average American household only uses three hundred gallons of water daily. This means that in one day a data center uses more water than the average American household uses in sixteen years.
The data center currently under construction in Irwin County is also specifically an AI training data center. AI proposes many threats to people’s jobs. As of March 2026, the American unemployment rate was 4.3% meaning that around seven million citizens are without jobs. This number could drastically increase following AI automation replacing human workers.
AI has also increased criminal activity. Voice cloning through AI has made phone frauds and scams far more common. Identity theft has increased as a result of this. Being able to replicate someone’s voice also opens the door to impersonate someone and cause defamation to their reputation through using an AI version of their voice to recite hateful speech or misinformation.
Another issue with AI is the threat it poses to children. For example, on February 28th, 2026, fourteen-year-old Sewell Renold Setzer III committed suicide following his conversations with an AI chatbot. Unfiltered access to Character.AI-a roleplaying app where you can chat with AI versions of characters-lead to Setzer developing an obsession with the chatbot. When Setzer expressed suicidal thoughts to Character AI, the chatbot fueled these feelings which potentially helped cause Setzer’s death.
In conclusion, Project Arrowhead would have severe negative consequences. It would cause light and noise pollution as well as deplete water resources. Additionally, it could take away jobs and harm people’s reputations and mental health.