The county of Columbia is one more step towards the creation of a technological park of almost 2,000 acres which could accommodate more than 8 million square feet of data centers.
The county planning commission is expected to consider a request Thursday, May 1 at the Economic Development Authority of Columbia County to rezon two property totaling 1,945.05 acres behind White Oak Business Park, between Harlem and Apping, showed recent demand.
The county has placed the “estimated value of the construction project” at $ 11.6 billion and should receive more than $ 118 million per year in local tax revenue estimated, according to a separate file with the State.
Due to the large scale of the project, the County of Columbia submitted a “development of the regional impact” or DRI, declaration to the Georgia Department of Commnutiy Affairs. Georgia class DRIS such as “large-scale developments likely to have regional effects beyond the jurisdiction of the local government in which they are”, according to the DCA.
Currently classified as a residential-agriculture, the land should be rezoned at S-1 to allow high-tech activities under the name of White Oak Technology Park.
These uses include data centers; Research and development facilities; cybersecurity suppliers; and digital infrastructure and advanced technology companies.
The data centers are home to computer equipment and networking equipment to support and store the massive quantities of data generated constantly by users of computers in the world.
According to a staff report, other uses of goods associated with data centers and technological installations are also associated with the discretion of the Director of Planning Services for County Columbia.
Together, the large parts of property extend near the Apping-Harlem Road of Columbia Road to the Interstate 20, bordered by a large part on its east side by Kiokee Creek. White Oak Branch and its tributaries also cross the property.
An illustration accompanying the application of EDACC shows an proposed use of space for up to 29 data centers. Each data center is illustrated covering 275,000 square feet.
Six electricity substations to power the centers would cover 82 acres.
ASO data centers require massive quantities of water to cool the constantly buzzing equipment. Comté planners said that the project developer would probably use a glycol -based cooling system to reduce water use. Glycol is a common component of antifreeze coolant.
The County Planning Commission of Columbia is expected to meet at 6 p.m. on May 1 at Evans Government Center on Ronald Reagan Drive.