Westover officials weigh business tax relief and data center moratorium

In Westover, local business leaders are advocating for economic support to protect established enterprises. Representatives from the Westover Business and Property Owners Association have requested that the city council create a working group to spur investment in the “legacy Westover” area, located between the interstate and the Westover Bridge. The group proposed a study on creating a development and redevelopment zone, which could include a potential 50% reduction in business and occupation taxes for qualifying businesses to help them compete with newer developments.

Simultaneously, the city is addressing concerns regarding the potential construction of data centers. During a recent council meeting, residents expressed significant interest in a proposed six-month moratorium on data center building. Mayor Bobby Pardue requested that the council postpone the vote to allow for a town hall meeting to address community concerns and misinformation regarding the facilities' impact on land use, water consumption, and the energy grid.