Georgia data center to be one of largest in United States
A new Google data center, set to be one of the largest in the country, has been approved in Columbia County, Georgia. The approval followed community concerns, with environmental restrictions placed on the project and the county highlighting economic benefits and water recycling. Residents had expressed worries about environmental impacts, property values, and quality of life.
Columbia County, Georgia, is set to become home to one of the largest data centers in the United States, a project confirmed by County Manager Scott Johnson. The Google data center, spanning 8 million square feet across the White Oak and Pumpkin Center areas, received approval from the county commission despite some local opposition.
Johnson emphasized the economic advantages, including a projected reduction in property taxes due to the facility's income. He also addressed environmental concerns, noting that the project incorporates water recycling for cooling, significantly reducing its water footprint. The county stated that environmental restrictions were placed on the project after considering community input.
However, local residents, including Alexandria Roney, voiced strong concerns about potential environmental impacts, property value depreciation, and a decline in their quality of life. Roney specifically expressed fears for residents' health. Johnson countered these concerns by stating much of the public information about data centers is outdated and highlighted the project's strategic planning and its potential to elevate Columbia County's profile nationally.