Data Centers and Douglas County: A Fact-Based Conversation About Our Future

By Breezy Straton, President, Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership

Few topics in economic development generate as many questions today as data centers — and that’s a good thing. Informed communities make better decisions. At Elevate Douglas, we believe this conversation belongs in the open, grounded in facts rather than assumptions or anxiety.

Douglas County should neither fear data centers nor embrace them blindly. We should evaluate them thoughtfully, communicate transparently, and let the facts guide our decisions. That’s what responsible stewardship looks like — and it’s the standard we hold ourselves to every day.

Where Douglas County Stands Today

One fact that often surprises people: Douglas County is no longer actively recruiting data centers.

In 2023, we removed data centers from our target industry list. That wasn’t a statement against the industry — quite the opposite. It was a recognition that Douglas County has already established itself as one of the nation’s premier locations for this sector, built on more than two decades of investment from some of the world’s leading technology companies.

Our role today is different — and in many ways, more valuable. Rather than recruiting data centers, we focus on supporting the companies that already call Douglas County home. These organizations have invested billions of dollars in our community, created meaningful opportunities for our residents, and become long-term corporate partners. Our responsibility is to help them succeed, support future expansion, and ensure that both the companies and the community continue to benefit from that relationship for years to come.

What Communities Across Georgia Should Know

As data center projects are announced across Georgia and throughout the country, residents understandably want to know what these facilities mean for their communities. The questions are fair, and they deserve real answers.

Data centers have become essential infrastructure for modern life. Every online banking transaction, telehealth appointment, cloud-based business application, emergency response system, AI tool, and streaming service depends on data centers operating somewhere behind the scenes. They are the digital backbone of our economy — and demand for that infrastructure is only growing.

That said, essential infrastructure is not the same as automatic approval. Like any large-scale development, data center projects must be evaluated carefully. Questions about power demand, water usage, noise, construction impacts, and land compatibility are legitimate concerns that deserve thoughtful review — not dismissal.

What’s often missing from public conversations, however, is the recognition that modern data centers are not all the same.

Answering the Questions Communities Are Actually Asking

Will they use too much water?

Many people assume all data centers consume massive amounts of water. In reality, water use varies significantly depending on cooling technology. New generations of facilities are increasingly deploying technologies that dramatically reduce — or in some cases eliminate — water consumption for cooling. The right question to ask any project: what specific cooling approach is being used, and what’s the verified water impact?

Will they strain the power grid?

Large data centers require dedicated utility planning and infrastructure — often including their own substations and developer-funded upgrades designed to protect reliability for existing residential customers. A well-planned project strengthens the grid; a poorly planned one doesn’t. The distinction matters, and communities have every right to require the former.

The better question is never simply whether a data center uses power or water. The question is whether a project has been planned responsibly — and whether the infrastructure commitments, environmental protections, and community benefits justify the investment.

The Full Picture: Benefits, Tradeoffs, and Transparency

Douglas County’s long history with technology investment gives us a perspective many communities don’t yet have. We’ve seen firsthand how data center companies can become genuine long-term community partners — investing not only in facilities but also in workforce development, education, and local initiatives that improve quality of life for residents.

The benefits of data centers are often broader than people realize. These projects bring significant private investment, create substantial construction and contractor opportunities, support high-quality technical careers, and frequently fund infrastructure improvements that serve the broader community.

It is also important to acknowledge that a jurisdiction’s tax revenue story can be much more complicated than many people assume. While data centers represent billions of dollars in private investment, Douglas County has not yet realized its full tax digest impact—due to existing incentive structures that are only now beginning to taper off. We anticipate that the community will see a greater share of those benefits in the years ahead as projects mature.

Economic development is not about saying yes to everything. It’s about asking the right questions and ensuring projects align with the long-term interests of the people who live and work here.

Our Standard: Responsible Development, Shared Benefit

At Elevate Douglas, our approach remains consistent: support responsible development, require accountability, insist on proper infrastructure planning, and ensure that local residents benefit from the investment occurring in their community.

When projects are properly planned, appropriately located, and responsibly managed, data centers can strengthen our economy, support infrastructure investment, expand workforce opportunities, and position Douglas County for continued success in an increasingly digital world.

That’s not just good economic development. It’s responsible stewardship of our community’s future — and it’s the standard Douglas County deserves.