Data centers, cybersecurity providers, advanced tech companies research and development facilities are among the Development Authority of Columbia County’s (DACC) key targets as it gears up to expand White Oak Park in Appling.
Earlier this month, the DACC submitted a request to rezone parcels along Morris Callaway Road and Interstate 20, totaling more than 1,900 acres, from Residential Agricultural (R-A) to Special zoning (S-1), to make way for White Oak Technology Park, an extension of the industrial subdivision designed to draw “world-class technology businesses and data center development,” according to the accompanying narrative.
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The park is designed for further, phased, adaptive development “over decades.” Concept plans for the new park show over 25 one-story data storage buildings and four electrical substations, between seven and 12 acres, along with administrative and logistic buildings and several stormwater management facilities.
The narrative underscores the proposed high-tech development’s workforce prospective workforce impact, as it could draw skilled personnel among county residents for various IT, operations and cybersecurity roles, by way of partnerships with Augusta University, Augusta Tech and transitioning servicemembers at Fort Eisenhower.
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DACC also touts the development’s potential tax benefits, saying it could increase property tax revenues, growing funds for infrastructure, the school district and public services and relieving pressure off of residential taxpayers.
The Columbia County Planning commission to slated to consider the rezoning request in its meeting on May 1.
Skyler Andrews is a reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
