RPAC
GEORGIA’S DATA CENTER DEBATE: Moratoriums, Zoning, and Community Pushback
January 27, 2026
Prospects for local tax revenue and job creation remain a major driver behind many counties’ openness to data centers. In some rural communities, commissioners have described proposed facilities as transformative — offering millions in tax revenue that could reduce the burden on residents and fund public services.
Yet that promise comes with challenges. Critics point to enormous water and energy consumption, potential strain on infrastructure, and questions over whether the number of permanent jobs justifies the scale of the facilities. Residents have voiced concerns about environmental impacts, noise, traffic, and changes to rural character.
In Atlanta proper, city leaders have enacted rules restricting data center construction in key urban redevelopment areas like the Beltline and close to major transit stations, reflecting a desire to shape land use in a way that prioritizes residential, retail, and mixed-use development over industrial server parks.
About the GRBOR Market Brief
The Greater Rome Board of REALTORS® (GRBOR) Market Brief is compiled by Georgia Multiple Listing Service (GAMLS).For more information on details of this month's report, please contact the Board at 404.845.4025.
*Each month, the numbers reported for the previous month are updated to reflect additional recordings.
About the Greater Rome Board of REALTORS®
The Greater Rome Board of REALTORS® (GRBOR) has been an instrumental factor in the growth of real estate in Floyd County, Georgia for more than a decade. GRBOR serves as a central source of information for its members, with mainly focusing on real estate education, the promotion of professionalism in the industry and representing REALTORS® members with legislative initiatives to create positive change for the real estate community.
About Georgia Multiple Listing Service
Since 1962 Georgia MLS has been providing real estate professionals with exceptional service, proven technology solutions, and unmatched value. With a laser-sharp focus on making the day-to-day tasks of our MLS subscribers more functional, more productive, and more profitable, we continue to implement the service blueprint that has led to our continued growth. For additional information or to start a discussion about how to partner with GAMLS please contact georgiamls@gamls.com.