Van Urges Planning, Oversight for Stockton Data Project
Alabama State Senate candidate Mike Van says Baldwin County should shape big land use decisions, improve planning laws, protect residents before large industrial growth
Republican candidate Mike Van is calling for clearer planning standards and stronger local control after a proposed large-scale development near Stockton drew community concern.
Van, who is running for Alabama Senate District 32, attended a recent town hall meeting where residents raised questions about a planned project involving roughly 4,500 acres north of Interstate 65 and east of Highway 59. The sprawling tract is tied to planned utility-scale solar fields meant to support a larger data center operation in Montgomery.
While details of the Stockton site continue to unfold, local landowners and officials have expressed concerns about traffic, water use, environmental impact and the long-term effect on daily life in Baldwin County.
“I’m hearing from folks all over Baldwin County who are asking real questions about traffic, water use, environmental impact, and what a project this size could mean for their daily lives,” Van said. “People want to understand what’s coming and have a voice in the process.”
Recent reporting shows two solar facilities on the property are tied to a major data center expansion project in Montgomery by technology companies, and were approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission in late 2025.
Van noted that Alabama already has a legal framework for managing certain large infrastructure developments. In 2013, the Legislature passed a law giving the Baldwin County Commission authority to regulate and set fees for wind-energy facilities, intended as a tool for local oversight when major projects are proposed.
“One practical step would be to update that law so it also covers data centers and similar large developments,” Van said. “That would give Baldwin County the ability to set reasonable rules, decide where projects make sense, and ensure safeguards are in place before anything moves forward.”
If elected, Van says he would push for changes in Montgomery to ensure the county and its residents can better manage growth while safeguarding natural resources. “If I’m elected, I’ll work to give our county the tools it needs to manage growth responsibly while protecting what makes this place special,” he said. “We can support progress and still protect our communities and natural resources.”
Van faces incumbent Chris Elliott in the May 19 Republican primary.
For more information: https://www.mikevanforalabama.com
