Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Augusta GA
Who decides where data centers go near Augusta — zoning and planning, the local elected board, the county, the state utility commission, and environmental permits — plus what is on file and reporting from across the HERE network.
Who Decides on Data Centers Near Augusta
DATA CENTER: NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER FOR AUGUSTA
HERE Augusta has been following data-center decisions that reach Augusta — the stories are below, along with every official body that would have a say.
A data center in or near Augusta would first need local land-use approval through Augusta, Georgia (consolidated government). The Georgia Public Service Commission is the state utility regulator; it reviews rates and large-customer power contracts for the utilities it oversees. Air and water permits come from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
National context: Federal energy researchers estimate data centers used about 4.4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023 and could use 6.7% to 12% by 2028, which is why utility commissions, local boards, and voters are now central to where these campuses land. U.S. Department of Energy report
What’s on file near Augusta
- On file so farNo local data-center campus vote is on file for Augusta yet; here is HERE Augusta's reporting so far.
HERE Augusta data center coverage
- From HERE AugustaOct 20, 2026 · GA
Blasting Starts Thursday at Harlem Data Center Site
HARLEM, Ga. — People living around Harlem near the Greenpoint/Pumpkin Center data center site in Columbia County should expect to hear and feel construction blasts starting…
Who decides: zoning, councils, utility regulators & permits
Zoning & Planning
Local Elected Body
State Utility Regulator
Electric Utility
Environmental, Water & Air Permits
From across the HERE network
- From HERE SavannahNov 2, 2026 · GA
OpenAI Data Center Plan Up for Vote Tuesday in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County commissioners meeting in Springfield, Ga., are scheduled to decide Tuesday evening whether to approve site plans for Project Camellia, the large…
- From HERE SavannahOct 29, 2026 · GA
Savannah Opens Survey on Data Center Zoning Rules
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah wants to hear from the public before it writes its first local rules for data centers. On Wednesday the city posted an…
- From HERE SavannahOct 22, 2026 · GA
Savannah Council Weighs Growth Plan Update and Data Center Rules
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah City Council has two items on its plate Thursday that could shape how the city grows: a vote on a refreshed long-range…
- From HERE AtlantaOct 17, 2026 · GA
Data Center Tax Breaks Could Cost Georgia Schools Hundreds
ATLANTA, Ga. — A new watchdog analysis says Georgia schools are losing hundreds of millions of dollars this year because of sales-tax exemptions that help finance…
- From HERE RaleighNov 3, 2026 · NC
Raleigh Data Center Expansion Slips in Ahead of Moratorium
RALEIGH, N.C. — A planned data center expansion in west Raleigh will be reviewed under the city’s old rules because the application landed four days before…
- From HERE NashvilleNov 2, 2026 · TN
Tennessee Data Centers Spread as Towns Push Back
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee now has somewhere between 60 and 65 data centers in operation, and a growing list of local governments wants to slow down…
- From HERE LansingOct 31, 2026 · MI
Delhi Township Board Votes Against Proposed Holt Data Center
DELHI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Three days after regional developers floated a giant data center for Delhi Township, the township board voted 6-0 Friday night to go…
- From HERE San AntonioOct 30, 2026 · TX
New Data Centers Need Council Approval in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Every new data center proposed inside San Antonio will now need a public hearing and a City Council vote. Council members approved…
- From HERE LansingOct 29, 2026 · MI
Delhi Township Quits LEAP a Day After $10B Data Center Pitch
DELHI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Delhi Township has walked away from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, ending its membership Wednesday, just one day after the regional economic…
Updated weekly. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.
Data Centers Near Augusta: FAQ
Who approves a data center rezoning near Augusta?
Rezonings and site plans go through local land-use officials: in Augusta that is Augusta, Georgia (consolidated government), Augusta Commission. Planning commissions hold public hearings and recommend; the elected board casts the final vote.
Who approves large power contracts for data centers in Georgia?
The Georgia Public Service Commission is the state utility regulator. It reviews rates and the large-customer contracts and tariffs that utilities it oversees propose for data centers.
Which Georgia agency issues environmental permits for a data center?
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division issues the air, water, and wastewater permits a large facility needs, including permits for backup generators.
How can a Augusta resident weigh in on a data center?
Speak or submit written comments at planning commission and council or board meetings, where agendas are posted in advance, and file public comments in utility cases at the state commission. The official links on this page go straight to those bodies.
What data center decisions are on file near Augusta?
HERE Augusta has published recent reporting on data-center decisions affecting the area, linked on this page, including: Blasting Starts Thursday at Harlem Data Center Site.
Data Center Coverage Across HERE
Resource centers for other HERE cities