Calhoun, Georgia, looks to understand what a 500K-square-foot data center’s impact would be
Despite an existing moratorium, Masterworks Atlanta is pursuing a 500,000-square-foot data center project in Calhoun, Georgia. The city council recently extended the moratorium until January 1, 2027, to allow time to assess zoning ordinances, as residents continue to voice opposition to the project.
An Atlanta-based developer, Masterworks Atlanta, is proposing a 500,000-square-foot data center project in Calhoun, Georgia, despite a moratorium on data center development in the city. The proposed facility would occupy 11 acres of a 57-acre tract off Highway 53, and its CEO, Bernie Smith, estimates it could generate $10 million to $15 million in annual property taxes for the city.
Calhoun City Administrator Paul Worley indicated that the project, due to its size, would require a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) study, and that Masterworks Atlanta acknowledged the moratorium is in place. Initially, Calhoun enacted a 90-day moratorium in April, which the City Council voted to extend until January 1, 2027, to allow officials more time to study and revise zoning ordinances specific to data centers. Residents, including Mary Baker who started a "NO Data Centers in Calhoun GA" Facebook page and a petition with 500 signatures, have expressed significant opposition, citing environmental concerns and fears that developers might exploit smaller towns.
Council member Ed Moyer, who introduced the motion to extend the moratorium, highlighted the need for more education on data center impacts, including electricity usage and potential water pollution. Although the property in question was previously deemed suitable for a data center under its industrial general zoning, Mayor Jimmy Palmer stated that city officials need more information before drafting new ordinances. A proposed technology district ordinance, which would have included data centers and introduced specific noise, buffer, and light pollution limits, was removed from a draft zoning ordinance to allow for further study.