Editor’s Note: The Augusta Press is happy to welcome Karin Parham, the Columbia County Observer, as its newest columnist. Parham will address politics and other issues in Columbia County, and her columns will appear every two weeks.
The recently approved a rezoning application for the new “White Oak Technology Park” in Appling proposes a full build-out of up to 24-29 data centers across the 1,900-acre site. However, initial plans call for just one or two facilities in the first phase to be completed over the next two years. The remaining facilities are planned for development over the next 10-15 years.
It’s understandable that many residents have questions and concerns about this project. The concerns stated at commissioner meetings have run the gamut – tree loss, traffic increases, noise and light pollution, high water usage and energy demands. I admit I hadn’t researched data centers before this debate emerged in our local community, although clearly with the growth of AI and cloud computing, the demand for these types of facilities continues to grow.
I recently spoke with Cheney Eldridge, executive director of the Columbia County Economic Development Authority (CCEDA). She explained that the goal for developing that area was to attract revenue-generating businesses while minimizing disruption to nearby residents. The authority believes a data center park, which generally employs fewer people and generates less daily traffic and potentially less local pollution than a manufacturing hub, for example, strikes that balance.
Still, the details are far from final, and we’ve all heard the saying… that’s where the devil is, right? The developer (Trammel Crow) hasn’t secured an end-user, which means we don’t know what companies will use the space. This also means that we don’t know what cooling systems they will use. Depending on the end-user and their data needs, each building could require drastically different resources. The buildings might all be used by one company or up to 29 different ones, or some combination. It makes it difficult to evaluate the project with that large uncertainty.
However, looking at the issue statewide, Georgia Power has warned that the state’s surge in data center development will increase pressure on the electrical grid. This demand has already pushed them to announce a renewed reliance on fossil fuels in order to meet the growing demand. Meanwhile, environmental groups argue that in addition to gobbling up power, data centers, many of which use evaporative cooling systems that consume millions of gallons of water, are placing unsustainable stress on local water supplies.
In 2024, the Georgia legislature passed legislation pausing the state’s tax incentives for data centers so that a task force could study the impact the data centers were having on Georgia’s resources. Gov. Kemp vetoed the legislation, stating that the language of the bill would bring an abrupt halt to projects already in development and undermine investments already made in those projects.
In 2025, SB34 was introduced to change Georgia law governing the Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities. The change was to ensure that costs of building the power infrastructure for data centers is not passed onto consumers. This bill was introduced after six rate-hikes in a two-year period by Georgia Power; however opponents of the bill claimed it was unnecessary because the PSC already adopted a similar rule in January 2025. One has to ask why the PSC didn’t adopt the rule earlier? Who is to say that the PSC won’t just change the rule later when it’s no longer an election year? During the primary, both incumbents who are up for reelection were accused of taking “influence dollars” from Georgia Power in the form of campaign contributions. (Reminder neighbors: The election for two positions on the PSC is coming up in November. I encourage everyone to check your registration now and remember to vote in this important election.)
Back in Columbia County, in the rezoning packet for the White Oaks Technology Park, the worst-case scenario estimates water consumption at 6.598 million gallons per day, with 3.958 million gallons added to the sewer system. This water would not necessarily need to be potable, so it can use less treatment but would still need to be piped in. Approximately 30% of the water can be recycled. Additionally, the rezoning packet specifies that either the developer or the end-user will have to pay for water/sewer infrastructure changes, so that expense should not fall on the taxpayers of Columbia County. Also, newer “closed-loop” systems, which use glycol instead of evaporative cooling, offer a less water-intensive option. However, these systems aren’t perfect either. Ethylene glycol is highly toxic, while propylene glycol is safer but less efficient. However, use of closed-loop systems leads to less water usage. Which system is used will depend entirely on the companies that use the space and their cooling needs and priorities. All of this is still unknown.
There has also been some question whether the data centers will use Georgia Power or Jefferson Energy for its power needs. Ms. Eldridge admitted that her office has only discussed the project with Georgia Power. According to Georgia Power, the infrastructure is currently in place to support the project. It may be trivial or not, but Kerry Bridges, a regional executive for Georgia Power, sits on the CCEDA Board. Notably though, in Georgia, large power users (loads of 900KW+) can choose who supplies their power. However, because Eldridge has not entered into discussions with Jefferson, she was unclear if Jefferson Energy has the infrastructure in place to provide the amount of power this project will require. This is another unknown. I would hope since it is written into the rezoning packet that the developer and/or end-user is responsible for the costs of building water utility infrastructure. If Jefferson is chosen as the provider, it will also be the end-user or developer that pays for the power infrastructure.
Of course, we also have our local politicians going out and doing what they do. Chairman Doug Duncan recently said on the Austin Rhodes Show that White Oaks Technology Park could generate enough tax revenue to offset all residential property taxes in Columbia County. It’s an optimistic statement. No offense to Chairman Duncan, but I also think it’s a bit premature. We don’t yet know how many data centers will be built and exactly when, how much equipment will be inside, or which businesses will occupy these buildings. When I spoke with Eldridge, I asked how the revenue estimate ($118 million) was made in the rezoning packet, and the answer was essentially that it is an educated guess. The projection is based on typical equipment valuations for a full buildout, not confirmed contracts or infrastructure plans. So, the $118 million revenue projection could come to fruition in 10 years or not. Still, if things unfold as hoped, the potential tax income could be substantial.
In terms of jobs, data centers typically don’t employ as many people as a manufacturing plant for example, but they do offer higher-paying positions. The CCEDA estimates around 50-70 employees per building. If all 24–29 buildings are eventually filled, that could mean roughly 1,200–2,000 additional IT jobs over the next 10-15 years.
I know we have many people who don’t want any development at all, so they will be opposed to anything being built in this location. We have to realize, though, that before the CCEDA got involved, the land was intended for a residential subdivision. In that sense, the land was already set to be developed, and large-scale tree removal was inevitable. A 1900-acre subdivision would have a much different set of challenges. This project is still in its infancy, though, so there is still time to influence the outcome. I think local environmental advocates should view this as an opportunity to shape development responsibly. Recommendations could include, but are not limited to:
- Preserve as many mature trees and native plant species as possible
- Advocate for sustainable landscaping with native and non-invasive species. (no need for a lawn!)
- Limit nighttime lighting to reduce disruption to wildlife and local neighbors
- Encourage closed-loop cooling systems for water conservation
- Rooftop solar panels could reduce the facilities’ reliance on fossil fuels
The White Oaks Technology Park proposal is neither a guaranteed economic boon nor an environmental catastrophe waiting to happen. It’s a project full of potential, with big questions still unanswered. Once again, I know that we have many in our community who don’t want any development in this part of the county at all.
While I can appreciate that sentiment, I’m not sure it’s realistic. Instead of shutting down the conversation or just blindly accepting whatever comes, we should all stay actively engaged. There’s still time to shape this project to balance the needs of economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.
Maybe I’m a bit Pollyannish, but I don’t see any reason why Columbia County can’t lead in this regard if we are truly committed to these ideals. Change, growth and development are inevitable, but how they happen, and whether they benefit all of us, depends on our next steps. So, I encourage everyone to attend meetings and pay attention to local issues, such as this one. The next Columbia County Commissioners meeting is on August 5 at 6 p.m. at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive in the Auditorium. I hope to see you there.
Karin Parham grew up in the rural dairy farming community of Tillamook, Ore.. until age 10, when her family moved to the Johnson County, Kan., in the suburbs of Kansas City. She earned her bachelor’s in business administration from Drake University, focusing on international business, East Asian culture and Japanese language. After working in the financial services industry for a few years, she joined the U.S. Army, where she served as an officer in the Adjutant General Corps in South Korea. After leaving active duty, she earned an MBA from Cameron University and remained active in volunteer roles as an Army Family Readiness Group Leader, on DoDEA overseas school advisory committees, and in leadership positions within Girl Scouts. As a military spouse, she lived in Texas, Oklahoma, South Korea and Washington State, moving in and out of the CSRA for nearly 20 years until her husband retired in 2023, settling their family in Evans.
Karin is the CEO of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, serves as treasurer of the Columbia County Democratic Committee and writes the Substack blog “The Columbia County Observer.” She writes about current issues in Columbia County, drawing on her frequent attendance at county meetings and her commitment to civic engagement.
