Coweta City Manager Dismisses Data Center Protestors as "Not Very Smart"

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Coweta City Manager Julie Casteen drew criticism after dismissing local protestors of a planned data center project as "not very smart" and refusing to take additional questions from the public at a recent meeting. The data center has faced opposition from some residents concerned about its environmental impact and lack of transparency from city officials.

Why it matters

The comments by the city manager reflect an apparent unwillingness to engage with community concerns about the data center, which has become a divisive issue in Coweta. Effective public communication and addressing citizen questions are crucial for building trust between local government and the people they serve, especially for controversial development projects.

The details

At a recent public meeting, Casteen told attendees that the city did not have answers to all their questions about the data center project and would not be taking additional questions. She then characterized the protestors as "not very smart" for pressing the city for more information.

• The public meeting where Casteen made the comments took place in late March 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city council is expected to vote on final approval for the data center project in the coming months, which could prompt further protests and demands for transparency from local residents.