RPAC
GEORGIA’S DATA CENTER DEBATE: Moratoriums, Zoning, and Community Pushback
January 27, 2026
Prospects for local tax revenue and job creation remain a major driver behind many counties’ openness to data centers. In some rural communities, commissioners have described proposed facilities as transformative — offering millions in tax revenue that could reduce the burden on residents and fund public services.
Yet that promise comes with challenges. Critics point to enormous water and energy consumption, potential strain on infrastructure, and questions over whether the number of permanent jobs justifies the scale of the facilities. Residents have voiced concerns about environmental impacts, noise, traffic, and changes to rural character.
In Atlanta proper, city leaders have enacted rules restricting data center construction in key urban redevelopment areas like the Beltline and close to major transit stations, reflecting a desire to shape land use in a way that prioritizes residential, retail, and mixed-use development over industrial server parks.