Columbus is poised to experience significant economic growth following the announcement of a major new state of the art corporate data center campus that will bring substantial capital investment, job creation, and longterm fiscal benefits to Muscogee County.

The Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia is working with Habitat Partners to develop a private and secure site to attract a data center that does not place a burden on public safety or the school system, and who will be a partner and steward of natural resources.  

The project includes a multiyear capital investment that could total more than $5.18 billion, spanning land acquisition, building construction, and equipment installation between 2027 and 2030.  Each year’s investment will substantially grow the county’s tax digest. Based on the 2025 combined millage rate, the project will generate escalating annual property tax revenue, climbing to $68.7 million per year by 2030 before depreciation.  

“This project represents one of the largest technology investments in our region’s history,” said Selvin Hollingsworth, Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia Chairman. “Its economic and fiscal impacts will expand opportunity, enhance our tax base, and position Columbus as a competitive hub for future datadriven industries.”

“Economic development is the fiscal heartbeat that drives any successful community.  This project puts people from our region to work and provides sustainable revenues that will continue to enhance the quality of life for the residents of this community,” said Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson. 

Local leaders anticipate the project will strengthen the region’s workforce, attract additional private investment, and support ongoing infrastructure improvements that benefit residents and businesses alike. Pace Halter, President and COO of W.C. Bradley Real Estate and Chairman of Choose Columbus agrees.  “We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with Habitat Partners as this development progresses.  The Choose Columbus Advisory Board reviews all economic development opportunities as part of our support for the Development Authority, and we have been interested in recruiting a data center for quite a while.  Data centers are uniquely planned developments that require two resources that the Columbus region has in abundance - water and power.  This is what makes this opportunity such a great fit for our community.  Additionally, data centers are largely "passive" investments, meaning they typically do not create a meaningful negative strain on the school system, they add significant incremental tax revenue, and they create high paying job opportunities.  This is a major development in Choose Columbus' effort to move our community forward with positive growth.”

Providing water and sewer without impacting local resources is a big part of choosing a location as well as a partner for development.  Columbus Water Works is an important stakeholder in a project of this nature, and they intend to make sure that the capacity to serve the site will not impede existing customers.  “Columbus is uniquely positioned to support the next generation of new industry, and this data center is a powerful example of that,” said Jeremy Cummings, President and CEO of Columbus Water Works. “Our community has invested for decades in building a resilient, abundant, and highquality water supply. That foresight gives us the capacity and reliability that largescale technology operations require. We’re proud that our water infrastructure can help fuel economic growth, attract innovative partners, and reinforce Columbus as a premier destination for economic development.”

The data center will support advanced computing and digital infrastructure needs for industryleading technology operators. It is expected that the project will create 195 positions that will pay between $80,000 and $120,000 per year.  Construction and operations will rely heavily on local contractors, suppliers, and service providers, amplifying the project’s impact across multiple sectors. According to the Data Center Coalition, every one data center job creates an additional 6 jobs in the broader economy, illustrating the strong multiplier effect associated with technologysector hiring.

“This project is more than an investment – it is a signal that Columbus is continuing to lead in the digital economy.  Data centers have been sprinkled throughout Columbus for decades, and this project will add another powerful corporate partner to our fintech community.  With our strong utilities and forward-looking leadership, we are uniquely positioned to support projects of this scale. We are excited to welcome a partner that shares our commitment to quality economic development, stewardship and community impact,” said Missy Kendrick, President and CEO of Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia.