No wells, noise limits: Columbia County outlines rules for Google data centers
Columbia County officials are detailing how two Google data centers planned for Harlem could significantly impact the county's budget, potentially eliminating residents' property tax bills. The county passed an ordinance in December imposing restrictive rules, including mandatory closed-loop water systems for cooling.
Columbia County, Georgia officials are detailing the potential financial impact of two Google data centers planned for Harlem. According to County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan, the county aims to use revenue generated by the data centers to eliminate its share of property taxes, which currently accounts for 40% of the county's budget. This measure, tied to House Bill 439, will be on the November ballot for Columbia County voters. If approved and fully realized, the data centers could generate $166 million, covering operating costs currently funded by property taxes, though fire, bond, and school tax portions would remain.
Duncan highlighted that the ordinance, passed in December, includes some of the most restrictive data center covenants in the country. These rules mandate that the data centers operate as closed-loop systems, recycling water used for cooling rather than continuously drawing new water. Additionally, Google promotes workforce training and community education programs, and the county's Economic Development Authority anticipates partnerships with local schools, colleges, and Fort Gordon.