An aerial perspective of the planned White Oak Technology Park, showcasing future data center locations.
Columbia County is advancing plans for the White Oak Technology Park, a vast project aiming to generate $11.6 billion in economic value. Spanning nearly 2,000 acres, the tech park will feature over 8 million square feet dedicated to data centers, research, and cybersecurity firms. As the planning commission prepares to review a key rezoning request on May 1, the park is projected to create substantial local tax revenues and job opportunities, especially in IT and operations, through partnerships with local educational institutions.
Columbia County is moving forward with plans to establish the White Oak Technology Park, a nearly 2,000-acre project that holds the potential to generate significant economic value. The proposed technology park could encompass more than 8 million square feet of data centers and is projected to yield an estimated value of $11.6 billion upon completion. The county’s planning commission is expected to review a rezoning request on May 1 from the Economic Development Authority of Columbia County.
The land designated for the park spans 1,945.05 acres located adjacent to the existing White Oak Business Park, situated strategically between the towns of Harlem and Appling. Currently, this land is classified as residential-agricultural and will require a rezoning to Special Use (S-1) to facilitate advanced technology operations. This transition will allow for a variety of proposed uses, including data storage centers, research and development spaces, and cybersecurity firms, all targeting the growing needs of the tech industry.
Columbia County anticipates that the park will generate over $118 million annually in local tax revenues, adding a substantial boost to the county’s economy. Due to the scale of the project, the county has submitted a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) statement to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The overall design includes provisions for up to 29 data centers, with each facility covering approximately 275,000 square feet. These centers will serve as hubs for housing computer hardware and networking equipment necessary for managing and storing vast amounts of data.
The proposed site extends along Appling-Harlem Road, reaching from Columbia Road to Interstate 20, and is bordered by Kiokee Creek on the eastern edge. To support the anticipated demand for energy, plans include the construction of six electricity substations on approximately 82 acres of the property.
To promote environmental sustainability, the project developer is likely considering a glycol-based cooling system for the data centers, which is designed to minimize water usage—a crucial factor in managing both resources and costs effectively.
The first phase of development is projected to span the next two years, with the overall completion of the park anticipated within ten years. The Trammell Crow Company, a subsidiary of the commercial real estate firm CBRE, has submitted plans to become the first tenant of the tech park, marking a significant step forward in the project’s implementation.
It is worth noting that an Amazon fulfillment center has already been operational within the nearby 612-acre White Oak Business Park, signifying the area’s suitability for large-scale operations and further fostering economic growth in Columbia County.
The White Oak Technology Park is also seen as a critical opportunity for Columbia County to attract a skilled workforce, particularly in the areas of IT, operations, and cybersecurity. Local educational institutions, including Augusta University and Augusta Technical College, are expected to collaborate on initiatives to prepare and train individuals for careers in these high-demand fields.
The Columbia County Planning Commission meeting where the rezoning request will be reviewed is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 1 at the Evans Government Center on Ronald Reagan Drive. The outcome of this meeting will be pivotal in determining the project’s progression.
Georgia’s Data Center Boom: Balancing Growth and Sustainability
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