Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Atlanta GA
Who decides where data centers go near Atlanta: the regulators, councils, planning boards and agencies with a vote, with names, contacts and the official source for each. Plus the project tracker, the tax rules and the latest reporting from HERE Atlanta.
Who decides on data centers near Atlanta
A data center needs a yes from several bodies at once: the land-use board that rezones the site, the elected council or commission that approves incentives and agreements, the utility that sells the power, the state commission that regulates that utility, and the agencies that permit water and air. Names below come from the official pages linked on each card.
Georgia Public Service Commission
Five elected statewide commissioners regulate Georgia Power and approve its capacity plans and large-load rules.
- Jason ShawChairman, District 1
- Lauren "Bubba" McDonaldVice Chairman
- Peter HubbardCommissioner
- Alicia M. JohnsonCommissioner
- Stan WiseCommissioner
Who sells the power
- Georgia PowerInvestor-owned electric
- Georgia EMCsMember-owned co-ops
- MEAG PowerMunicipal electric wholesale
Which utility serves a given site depends on its address. Large-load power contracts are negotiated with the serving utility and, for regulated utilities, approved by the state commission.
Atlanta elected leaders
- Andre DickensMayor of Atlanta
Fulton County government
- Robb PittsFulton County Commission Chairman
Planning & zoning
- City planning & zoning (official city website)See the city site for the board and meeting dates
The planning body reviews rezonings and site plans and recommends to the elected board; data center rezonings and development agreements are typically decided by the council or county commission.
Economic development
- Georgia Department of Economic DevelopmentState recruitment and incentives
Your state legislators
- Josh McLaurinSenate 14 (D)
- Jaha HowardSenate 35 (D)
- Nan OrrockSenate 36 (D)
- RaShaun KempSenate 38 (D)
- Sonya HalpernSenate 39 (D)
- Elena ParentSenate 44 (D)
- Deborah SilcoxHouse 53 (R)
- Betsy HollandHouse 54 (D)
- Inga WillisHouse 55 (D)
- Bryce BerryHouse 56 (D)
- Stacey EvansHouse 57 (D)
- Park CannonHouse 58 (D)
- Phil OlaleyeHouse 59 (D)
- Sheila JonesHouse 60 (D)
- Mekyah McQueenHouse 61 (D)
- Tanya MillerHouse 62 (D)
Data center projects near Atlanta
Projects documented by public records or company announcements. Status reflects the cited source on the date shown, not a HERE prediction.
| Project | Where | Developer / operator | Scale | Status | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Sail Board of Commissioners rezoned the land to industrial April 7, 2026. Residents have discussed legal action. | Coweta County (near Newnan), GA | Prologis | 900 MW; 832 acres; nine buildings | Rezoning approved 3-2 as of Apr. 10, 2026 | Commission vote record & coverage |
| Liberty Road campus (East Village Dothan LLC) Commissioners denied the rezoning in July 2026 after the planning commission recommended denial. | Douglas County (near Villa Rica), GA | EdgeConneX-linked affiliate | 4.4M sq ft; about 700 acres | Rezoning denied 4-1 as of July 8, 2026 | Commission vote record & coverage |
| Fayetteville data center moratorium Council paused annexation, rezoning, variance and conceptual site plans for data centers on Jan. 29, 2026. | Fayetteville (Fayette County), GA | City of Fayetteville | 90-day pause | Moratorium adopted as of Jan. 29, 2026 | City council action minutes |
Tax programs & statutes
High-technology data center equipment exemption
Georgia exempts qualifying equipment used in a high-technology data center from sales and use tax, subject to minimum investment and new quality job requirements; applications go through the Georgia Tax Center.
Data center news from HERE Atlanta
Tell your story HERE
Residents, council members and commissioners near Atlanta are deciding what a data center means for their power bills, water and land. HERE Atlanta covers those decisions every week. If you are building, powering or supplying a project in or near Atlanta, this is where the people who vote on it are reading.
- Sponsored features and press releases published on HERE Atlanta
- Interviews and community explainers about your project
- Reach a local audience in the neighboring HERE cities too
Business inquiries are handled by HERE City Marketing.
Data centers near Atlanta: FAQ
Who approves a data center near Atlanta?
Land use is decided locally: the planning or zoning body reviews rezonings and site plans, and the elected council or county commission votes on incentives and agreements. Power service is arranged with the local utility, and Georgia Public Service Commission regulates that utility. Water and air permits come from state environmental agencies.
Who sits on the Georgia Public Service Commission?
Jason Shaw (Chairman, District 1), Lauren "Bubba" McDonald (Vice Chairman), Peter Hubbard (Commissioner), Alicia M. Johnson (Commissioner), Stan Wise (Commissioner). Source: https://psc.ga.gov/about-the-psc/commissioners/.
What tax incentives exist for data centers in Georgia?
High-technology data center equipment exemption: Georgia exempts qualifying equipment used in a high-technology data center from sales and use tax, subject to minimum investment and new quality job requirements; applications go through the Georgia Tax Center.
How can I weigh in on a data center near Atlanta?
Attend the planning and council or commission meetings listed above, submit written comments before the vote, and contact your elected members. For power-contract cases, Georgia Public Service Commission takes public comment on open dockets.
How this page is built
Every name on this page is taken from the official government page linked beside it. Anything we could not verify is left out. Last verified 2026-11-12; next check 2026-12-12. Confirm contact details with the agency before relying on them.
- Georgia PSC: Meet the Commission
- Georgia DOR: data center equipment exemption
- City planning & zoning (official city website) (official page)
- City of Atlanta: official website
- HERE Atlanta city-government directory (council, county, legislators)
- Project record: Project Sail
- Project record: Liberty Road campus (East Village Dothan LLC)
- Project record: Fayetteville data center moratorium
Not yet verified: planning commission page and meeting schedule not located on the city site; local economic development agency contacts; state energy-committee roster; planning commission members.