Byrd Farms Technology Campus
Byrd Farms proposed 18 data center buildings on 944 acres off Louisville Road. Commissioners turned it down in February 2026, saying it seemed speculative with no end user. The developer could reapply.
Where things stand: Rezoning denied 4-1 on Feb. 3, 2026; the developer could return in about six months.
🕒 Latest update (Feb 3, 2026): Commissioners denied the rezoning 4-1; the chairman said no end user could be found.
What we know
- 📍 Where944 acres off Natures Way and Louisville Road, Unincorporated Columbia County, Columbia County
- 🏢 CompanyByrd Farms LLC
- 🌳 Size944 acres
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Will the developer reapply? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Feb 3, 2026Commissioners denied the rezoning 4-1; the chairman said no end user could be found.
Local votes and rules
🗳️ Public vote
Columbia County voters will decide in November 2026 whether the county can use a fund, allowed by House Bill 439, to give homeowners property tax credits paid for by the Google data center campuses. County leaders say credits could start in 2027.
🤝 Agreement with the company
Columbia County's development authority approved a deal with Kinetic Infrastructure Solutions, a Google (Alphabet) company, for a data center investment of at least $17 billion. County leaders say they want data center money to end the county's share of homeowner property taxes.
⚖️ Court case
A resident filed two court petitions challenging Columbia County's rezonings for the White Oak and Pumpkin Center data center projects. He says the county approved them without checking water and sewer capacity, used an old traffic study, skipped a full regional review and did not properly notify the school district.
🗺️ Zoning change
Columbia County commissioners approved rezonings for two data center sites: Pumpkin Technology Campus near Harlem and White Oak Technology Park near Appling. They denied a third, Byrd Farm, by a 4-1 vote. Developers still need site plans, grading permits and a letter from Georgia Power showing it can supply the power.
📜 Data center rules
Columbia County has a special Data Center zoning district. The county development authority calls it one of the strictest in Georgia. It requires 500-foot buffers from homes, a 65-decibel noise limit, closed-loop cooling, no private wells, shielded lighting and a plan to take the buildings down when they close.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Columbia County approves 2 data centers, rejects 1 · WRDW/WAGT News 12 · Feb 3, 2026
- Columbia County Board of Commissioners approve two out of three data center projects, Byrd Farm voted down · The Augusta Press · Feb 4, 2026
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