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Georgia Cities Tighten Data Center Rules
Coverage from Statesboro Herald, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and others
Statesboro adopted rules that limit data centers to sites of 50 acres or less, prohibit hyperscale facilities, and require special-use permits, public review, closed-loop cooling, water planning, noise studies, and environmental controls.
The rules now shape review of 4AM Development’s proposed 230,000-square-foot Burkhalter Road facility, which still needs an identified end-user and additional approval. Augusta is pursuing similar controls, showing Georgia cities are using local zoning and operating requirements to address water, power, infrastructure, and neighborhood impacts before projects proceed.
Statesboro’s proposed facility has moved from pending additional approvals to a paused review because 4AM must first identify an operating end-user. New water-use estimates also add uncertainty to the project’s infrastructure demands.
The story has moved from general data-center regulation to review of a specific Statesboro project, with rezoning approved but construction still contingent on further permits. It also broadens beyond Statesboro as Augusta considers comparable local controls.