Planning commission recommends approval of two data‑center rezones and special exceptions despite strong public concern about water, power and long‑term impacts

Spalding County’s Planning Commission recommended approval of two rezoning applications (2513Z and 2514Z) and the accompanying special‑exception applications (2503S and 2504S) for a proposed data‑center campus on two adjacent parcels fronting High Falls Road and adjacent to the planned airport site.

The applicant and counsel described a campus concept that places the data‑center buildings largely behind existing transmission corridors and retains tree cover along High Falls Road, with an office/operations building set near the road. The concept presented roughly 2,000,000 square feet of data‑center floor area divided among multiple buildings, estimated build‑out value of approximately $1.87 billion, projected annual ad‑valorem taxes in Spalding County of about $26.8 million, and a projected operations workforce of roughly 100 employees. Staff and applicant representatives stated the project would use closed‑loop cooling…