Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Athens GA
Who decides where data centers go near Athens: the regulators, councils, planning boards and agencies with a vote, with names, contacts and the official source for each. Plus the project tracker, the tax rules and the latest reporting from HERE Athens.
Who decides on data centers near Athens
A data center needs a yes from several bodies at once: the land-use board that rezones the site, the elected council or commission that approves incentives and agreements, the utility that sells the power, the state commission that regulates that utility, and the agencies that permit water and air. Names below come from the official pages linked on each card.
Georgia Public Service Commission
Five elected statewide commissioners regulate Georgia Power and approve its capacity plans and large-load rules.
- Jason ShawChairman, District 1
- Lauren "Bubba" McDonaldVice Chairman
- Peter HubbardCommissioner
- Alicia M. JohnsonCommissioner
- Stan WiseCommissioner
Who sells the power
- Georgia PowerInvestor-owned electric
- Georgia EMCsMember-owned co-ops
- MEAG PowerMunicipal electric wholesale
Which utility serves a given site depends on its address. Large-load power contracts are negotiated with the serving utility and, for regulated utilities, approved by the state commission.
Athens elected leaders
- Kelly GirtzMayor, Athens-Clarke County
- Patrick DavenportDistrict 1
- Melissa LinkDistrict 2
- Tiffany TaylorDistrict 3
- Allison WrightDistrict 4
- Dexter FisherDistrict 5
- Stephanie JohnsonDistrict 6
- John CulpepperDistrict 7
- Carol MyersDistrict 8
- Ovita ThorntonDistrict 9
- Mike HambyDistrict 10
Planning & zoning
- City Planning CommissionAgendas and meeting calendar on the official page
The planning body reviews rezonings and site plans and recommends to the elected board; data center rezonings and development agreements are typically decided by the council or county commission.
Economic development
- Georgia Department of Economic DevelopmentState recruitment and incentives
Your state legislators
- Bill CowsertSenate 46 (R)
- Frank GinnSenate 47 (R)
- Houston GainesHouse 120 (R)
- Eric GislerHouse 121 (D)
- Spencer FryeHouse 122 (D)
- Trey RhodesHouse 124 (R)
Data center projects near Athens
Tax programs & statutes
High-technology data center equipment exemption
Georgia exempts qualifying equipment used in a high-technology data center from sales and use tax, subject to minimum investment and new quality job requirements; applications go through the Georgia Tax Center.
Data center news from HERE Athens
Tell your story HERE
Residents, council members and commissioners near Athens are deciding what a data center means for their power bills, water and land. HERE Athens covers those decisions every week. If you are building, powering or supplying a project in or near Athens, this is where the people who vote on it are reading.
- Sponsored features and press releases published on HERE Athens
- Interviews and community explainers about your project
- Reach a local audience in the neighboring HERE cities too
Business inquiries are handled by HERE City Marketing.
Data centers near Athens: FAQ
Who approves a data center near Athens?
Land use is decided locally: the planning or zoning body reviews rezonings and site plans, and the elected council or county commission votes on incentives and agreements. Power service is arranged with the local utility, and Georgia Public Service Commission regulates that utility. Water and air permits come from state environmental agencies.
Who sits on the Georgia Public Service Commission?
Jason Shaw (Chairman, District 1), Lauren "Bubba" McDonald (Vice Chairman), Peter Hubbard (Commissioner), Alicia M. Johnson (Commissioner), Stan Wise (Commissioner). Source: https://psc.ga.gov/about-the-psc/commissioners/.
What tax incentives exist for data centers in Georgia?
High-technology data center equipment exemption: Georgia exempts qualifying equipment used in a high-technology data center from sales and use tax, subject to minimum investment and new quality job requirements; applications go through the Georgia Tax Center.
How can I weigh in on a data center near Athens?
Attend the planning and council or commission meetings listed above, submit written comments before the vote, and contact your elected members. For power-contract cases, Georgia Public Service Commission takes public comment on open dockets.
How this page is built
Every name on this page is taken from the official government page linked beside it. Anything we could not verify is left out. Last verified 2026-11-12; next check 2026-12-12. Confirm contact details with the agency before relying on them.
- Georgia PSC: Meet the Commission
- Georgia DOR: data center equipment exemption
- City Planning Commission (official page)
- Athens-Clarke County, Georgia: official website
- HERE Athens city-government directory (council, county, legislators)
Not yet verified: local economic development agency contacts; state energy-committee roster; planning commission members.