Columbia County leaders discuss Google data centers and proposed tax relief
Columbia County leaders are discussing the positive economic impact of Google's data centers, which are being built near Appling. The investment could potentially eliminate homestead property taxes for residents, pending voter approval of House Bill 439.
Columbia County leaders are looking forward to Google becoming a neighbor as the search engine giant will occupy two future data center complexes being built near Appling. Columbia County Chairman Doug Duncan was in Washington last week, and upon returning, county leaders are detailing the plans to residents.
County Manager Scott Johnson emphasized the county's pride in these plans, specifically noting the potential to be the first county in the country to relieve property taxes through data center development. The project to bring data centers to Columbia County has been years in the making. Google will use all 33 complexes, spanning 3500 acres in Harlem. Johnson indicated that this investment could eventually mean the elimination of homestead property taxes for homeowners.
This would be achieved through House Bill 439, a bill written specifically for the county. However, Columbia County voters still need to approve its implementation for the tax relief to take effect.