Economic Development Authority Approves Agreement for the Columbia County Data Center, Advancing a Historic Private Investment

 Columbia County, Ga. (Aug. 26, 2026) — The Economic Development Authority of Columbia County (EDACC) today approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kinetic Infrastructure Solutions, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., for the Columbia County Data Center. The MOU represents an investment commitment of at least $17 billion, a milestone that positions the county for one of the largest private investments in its history.

A private investment of this magnitude represents a significant, long-term opportunity for Columbia County with jobs, capital, and economic strength anchored here at home. The financing uses a bond-for-title structure long established in Georgia: the private company, not the County, is responsible for the bonds, which are non-recourse to the EDACC and the County. No resident’s taxes repay them, and the County’s credit is not pledged.

“This is a defining opportunity for Columbia County,” said Rick Evans, Chairman of the Economic Development Authority of Columbia County. “An investment on this scale means lasting strength for our community, and we have structured it so the value it creates stays right here at home. We’re proud to advance it in coordination with our partners in County government.”

Working in coordination with the County, the EDACC is committed to ensuring the project supports local economic development.

The project’s site is governed by the county’s Data Center (D-C) zoning district, among the strictest in Georgia, with 500-foot residential buffers, a 65-decibel noise limit, closed-loop cooling and no private wells, full-cutoff lighting, and a decommissioning requirement. Every action on the agreement has been taken in publicly noticed meetings, with records available under Georgia’s open records laws.

“Columbia County has approached this carefully and on its own terms,” Evans said. “Growth of this kind, done right, is exactly the future this community has been planning for.”

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About the Economic Development Authority of Columbia County

The Economic Development Authority of Columbia County is the lead economic development organization for Columbia County, Georgia. The role of the Economic Development Authority of Columbia County is to foster economic growth through supporting existing industry and small businesses, recruiting new companies, and product development. This is accomplished by working with local industry, community leaders, entrepreneurs, site selection consultants, developers, and business leaders to secure new investments and jobs.

Columbia County, Georgia, established in 1790 and positioned along the Savannah River, is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Money Magazine named Evans, Georgia as #1  Best Place to Live in America.  The surge in population and recognition can be attributed to rising incomes, a strong public school system, an expanding retail sector, low crime, and consistent recognition by CNBC and Area Development Magazine recognizing Georgia as the #1 state for business.
Cover photo credits to A B Beverage Company, Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Que Music Festival, and Moose Pro Foto.