Georgia lawmakers weigh data center regulations as industry ramps PR efforts
Data center industry advocacy groups are launching PR campaigns and lobbying efforts in Georgia to improve public perception amidst growing opposition and legislative attempts to regulate the sector. This comes as state lawmakers consider new restrictions and local communities voice concerns over specific projects, such as one by OpenAI in Effingham County, and a previously approved one in Marietta.
Industry advocacy groups, including Connected Georgia and its parent America Connects, have initiated digital marketing campaigns in Georgia to foster a more favorable public perception of data centers. These efforts, which include a new website and viral YouTube ads, come amidst increasing statewide opposition to the electricity-intensive facilities and failed legislative attempts to regulate them in the 2026 session. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has also formed the Georgia Digital Infrastructure Alliance to support data center expansion, emphasizing their role in local economic growth and providing resources for counties.
The pushback against data centers in Georgia has been significant, marked by "intense statewide outrage" at local government meetings concerning zoning decisions. While proposals for a statewide moratorium and adjustments to tax incentives were debated, none passed the legislature. Public demonstrations have been notable, including a recent protest at a Marietta City Council meeting regarding an approved data center proposal, and a large confrontation involving nearly 1,000 people over OpenAI's announced $20 billion data center in Effingham County.
Josh Levi, head of the Data Center Coalition (which includes tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft), stated Connected Georgia's goal is to inform Georgians about the benefits and responsible practices of data centers. However, critics like Mark Woodall of the Sierra Club of Georgia, dismiss these PR efforts as disingenuous, believing public skepticism and opposition will persist regardless of spending. Woodall cited successful regulatory actions in other states, such as a moratorium in New York and new electricity taxes in Virginia, as evidence that public anger against data centers is strong and bipartisan, particularly referencing the backlash against the OpenAI project in Effingham County.