Today, Columbia County announced a strategic partnership with Google and Georgia Power that county leaders say will protect local ratepayers, establish some of the nation’s most restrictive data center development standards, and generate new revenue to support long-term property tax relief for homeowners.

Chairman Doug Duncan and County Manager Scott Johnson traveled to Washington D.C., where they briefed President Trump and shared details of the partnership during a meeting at the White House. County leaders expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to highlight Columbia County’s innovative approach and share the community’s story on a national stage.

“This partnership represents months of collaboration to ensure Columbia County remains a great place to live while planning responsibly for the future,” said Chairman Duncan. “Together, we crafted an agreement that establishes some of the most restrictive data center covenants in the country, protects our ratepayers, and puts us on a direct path toward reducing the county homestead property tax burden for our residents.”

Recognizing concerns communities across the country have expressed regarding data center development, Columbia County worked with its partners to establish a framework of restrictive covenants designed to protect residents and preserve quality of life. The framework includes:

● Strict, non-negotiable decibel limits
● Specific lighting standards
● Minimal physical footprint and visibility requirements
● Protections for the local water supply
● An end-of-useful life strategy for the facility

Google has committed to paying 100 percent of all energy costs associated with this project.

Utility rate payers are safeguarded from any additional infrastructure, transmission, or capacity expenses. This aligns with Georgia Power’s Customer Protection Pledge (GeorgiaPower.com/Pledge), and its commitment to keep rates stable through 2028 with additional annual savings of more than $100 for the typical residential customer planned after that.

County officials also emphasized the partnership’s long-term financial benefits for Columbia County homeowners. Revenue generated by the project is expected to support the county’s ongoing efforts to reduce the local homestead property tax burden.

Chairman Duncan credited the collaboration of numerous state and local leaders who helped make the partnership possible, including Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore, Speaker Jon Burns, Senator Lee Anderson, Representative Gary Richardson, Development Authority Executive Director Cheney Eldridge and Chairman Rick Evans, County Manager Scott Johnson, Vice Chair Alison Couch, Commissioner Connie Melear, Commissioner Mike Carraway, and Commissioner Jim Steed.

“The bottom line is our infrastructure is modernized, ratepayers are protected, and taxpayers will receive the relief they deserve,” Duncan said.

Columbia County looks forward to sharing additional details about this partnership as the project progresses. In the meantime, the latest project details can be found on the county website www.columbiacountyga.gov.