QTS data center campus in Blakely
Also called: Project Blue Hole
QTS, owned by Blackstone, wants to build a very large data center campus in Blakely, near the Early County Airport. State filings list 12 million square feet, up to 1,500 megawatts of power and $15.6 billion in value by 2035. The city signed a deal in August 2026 for yearly payments to local governments and schools.
Where things stand: Blakely City Council approved a money agreement (MOU) with QTS on Aug. 11, 2026, and Early County adopted data center rules in July. The state regional impact review (DRI) is still open, and no building permit has been reported.
🕒 Latest update (Sept 16, 2026): QTS filed more details for the state regional impact review: 1,500 MW peak power, 225,000 gallons of water a day, about 140 jobs and $50 million a year in local taxes.
What we know
- 📍 WhereUndeveloped land off Martha Berry Highway near Early County Airport (property owner: McKnight Blakely LLC), Blakely, Early County
- 🏢 CompanyQTS Technology Services, LLC (QTS Data Centers)
- 🏛️ Owned byBlackstone
- ⚡ Power it needs1,500 megawatts (about as much as 1,200,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromGeorgia Power. The state filing lists a peak load of 1,500 megawatts, pending utility studies, with a new substation and new power lines built on the site.
- 🗼 New power linesYes
- 💧 WaterCity of Blakely water system (about 1.5 miles of new 12-inch water line); QTS says it will reuse water where it can · 225,000 gallons a day
- ❄️ CoolingClosed-loop cooling system, per a city FAQ sheet
- 💵 Cost$15.6 billion
- 💸 Tax breaksUnder the agreement, QTS would pay $7.5 million for the first phase and then $7 million a year, split among the city, county and school system.
- 👷 Jobs promised140
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How many acres and buildings are planned? 🙋 I'll find out
- How many diesel backup generators will there be? 🙋 I'll find out
- Was a secret deal (NDA) signed with local officials? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will the new power lines and substation cross nearby land, and who pays for them? 🙋 I'll find out
- Is 1,500 megawatts the final power need after Georgia Power's studies? 🙋 I'll find out
- Does the site still need rezoning or a site plan approval from Blakely, and when is that vote? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Nov 2025The Development Authority of Early County first posted about 'Project Blue Hole'.
- March 2026QTS filed a state regional impact review (DRI) for a campus of up to 12 million square feet, fully built by the end of 2035.
- July 13, 2026Early County commissioners unanimously passed data center rules, including a 1,000-foot buffer from homes, schools and churches.
- Aug 11, 2026Blakely City Council approved an agreement (MOU) with Early County, the school board, the development authority and QTS.
- Sept 16, 2026QTS filed more details for the state regional impact review: 1,500 MW peak power, 225,000 gallons of water a day, about 140 jobs and $50 million a year in local taxes.
Local votes and rules
🤝 Agreement with the company
Blakely discussed and approved a joint economic development agreement with QTS for a data center known as Project Blue Hole. QTS would pay the Early County Development Authority $7.5 million for the first phase and then $7 million a year, split among the city, county and school system.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- QTS targets two data center campuses in Georgia · Data Center Dynamics · March 13, 2026
- Blakely: Early County Adopts Data Center Rules Ahead of Major QTS Project · Wiregrass Daily News · July 14, 2026
- Blakely approves agreement with QTS Data Centers related to proposed facility · WTVY · Aug 11, 2026
- DRI #4651 QTS - Blakely - application summary · Georgia Department of Community Affairs · Sept 16, 2026
- DRI #4651 QTS - Blakely - additional information form · Georgia Department of Community Affairs · Sept 16, 2026
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