Big tech companies are taking notice of Georgia’s vast, affordable farmland and seeing it as the perfect place to build their next data centers. This trend has raised concerns among locals who fear the impact on the environment and community.
The Lubecks, a family who have lived in Middle Georgia for over 30 years, recently discovered that a massive data center complex is being built just a mile away from their home. The development, spearheaded by Eagle Rock Partners, will occupy 300 acres of timberland near an ecologically significant stretch of the Ocmulgee River.
Twiggs County residents have expressed outrage at the plan, with many packing question-and-answer sessions to voice their concerns. Despite the backlash, the county board unanimously approved a request to rezone the land for data center development.
As Georgia’s data center market continues to grow, policymakers are grappling with issues of land use, resource consumption, and potential costs being passed on to other residents and businesses. This series explores the power and water demands of these massive facilities and the deliberations of policymakers about this emerging industry.
Source: https://www.ajc.com/business/2025/12/why-big-tech-sees-georgia-farmland-as-ripe-for-data-centers