Center of attention: $1 billion data farm approved by McDuffie County

McDuffie County, Georgia, has granted a zoning exception for "Project Azalea," a significant $1 billion data center development located near the Columbia County line. The project, overseen by Williams Brothers Development from Gainesville, Ga., is slated to cover approximately 1.5 million square feet on a 200-acre parcel. It is projected to create 125 full-time jobs and yield an estimated $25 million in total tax revenue, including $4.6 million in county ad valorem taxes and $9 million in school ad valorem taxes. The approval by the McDuffie County Board of Commissioners on March 17 came after a public listening session held on March 10, where citizens submitted 74 questions regarding the development. Concerns voiced by critics nationwide and locally often highlight the substantial power and water demands of data centers, alongside potential air and noise pollution. Developers cited favorable power access for Project Azalea, noting an adjacent Jefferson Electric Cooperative substation designed to supply power to the planned six buildings. Meanwhile, plans for at least two other data centers are also moving forward in nearby Columbia County.