Developer and Project Details
Floyd County is becoming a significant hub for data center development, with a new project planned for a 114-acre site next to Coosa High School. This follows Microsoft's $1 billion investment in a 347-acre data center near Huffaker Road, marking the county's second major data center initiative.
The land for this new data center is being acquired by the revocable living trust of William Darryl Edwards, with developers Darryl Edwards, Darren Hardin, and Jonathan Ward at the helm. The property is designated exclusively for data center development, aligning with Floyd County's growing technology sector.
Economic Benefits for Floyd County
The expansion of data centers in Floyd County is expected to provide significant economic advantages:
- Job Creation: The construction and operation of these facilities will generate a wide range of employment opportunities, from temporary construction jobs to long-term positions in operations and maintenance.
- Tax Revenue: The development of data centers will substantially increase the county’s tax base, leading to enhanced funding for public services, schools, and infrastructure projects.
- Infrastructure Development: Data center projects often drive improvements to local infrastructure, including power grids and internet connectivity, benefiting the community as a whole.
- Attracting Tech Companies: With the establishment of data centers, Floyd County is becoming an appealing location for other technology companies, encouraging further economic development.
Infrastructure Considerations
As the number of data centers in the region grows, so does the demand for electricity. Georgia Power has projected that the influx of data centers will significantly expand electricity capacity well into the 2030s, necessitating infrastructure upgrades to meet the increased energy needs. Learn more about Georgia Power’s forecast.
Impact on Local Tax Revenues
Data centers bring substantial economic impact through various tax revenues:
- Property Taxes: Data centers require high-value infrastructure, which increases the taxable value of the land. In Floyd County, the land’s transformation into a data center will lead to higher property taxes, benefiting local schools and government services.
- Sales and Use Taxes: Construction of the data center will generate increased sales tax revenue from materials and services purchased. Additionally, ongoing operations will contribute further through the purchase of supplies and maintenance.
- Utility Taxes: Data centers consume large amounts of electricity and other utilities, which could result in higher utility tax revenues for Floyd County, especially with infrastructure upgrades needed to accommodate these high-demand facilities.
- Job Creation and Income Taxes: As data centers generate jobs in construction, IT, operations, and maintenance, Floyd County stands to see an increase in income tax revenue. Higher employment and wages can also boost consumer spending, further enhancing the local economy.
- Enhanced Economic Activity: The presence of data centers could stimulate the growth of supporting industries, such as suppliers and logistics, all contributing to local tax revenues.
Conclusion
The growth of data centers in Floyd County will positively impact the local economy, creating jobs, increasing tax revenues, and driving infrastructure development. With the addition of these facilities, Floyd County is positioning itself as a key player in the technology and data services sector, ensuring long-term economic benefits for the community.
For more information on the ongoing developments in Floyd County, visit the following links:
