Athena Studios data center proposal
A data center has been proposed on the Athena Studios property near Ben Epps Airport in Athens. The local government extended its pause on new data centers while it writes rules. Few details have been made public.
Where things stand: Proposed while a citywide pause (moratorium) on new data centers was in place until June 5, 2026.
🕒 Latest update (March 2026): Mayor and Commission extended the data center moratorium to June 5, 2026, as plans for a data center at Athena Studios drew concern.
What we know
- 📍 WhereAthena Studios, 900 Athena Drive, near Ben Epps Airport, Athens-Clarke County (unified government), Clarke County
- 🏢 Companyunknown
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Who is the developer, and how big is the plan? 🙋 I'll find out
- What did Athens-Clarke's new data center rules say, and does this project meet them? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- March 2026Mayor and Commission extended the data center moratorium to June 5, 2026, as plans for a data center at Athena Studios drew concern.
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Athens-Clarke County paused new data centers in December 2025 so it could write zoning rules. The pause was set to end March 6, 2026. In early March the commission extended it for three more months. Commissioners asked whether an outright ban is possible.
✋ Turned down
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted unanimously to deny rezoning 233 acres of farmland on Old Elberton Road from farm to industrial use. The plan was for a four-building, 2 million square foot data center. The planning commission had also recommended denial.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Plans for new data center in Athens raise concern in community · The Red & Black · March 23, 2026
- OpenStreetMap: Athena Studios, 900 Athena Drive · OpenStreetMap contributors · Oct 7, 2026
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