Data Center Campus Approved in Spalding County, Georgia

In January 2026, Spalding County Commissioners unanimously approved a large-scale data center development proposed by Wallace Jackson LLC. The project covers 189 acres in Griffin, Georgia, along Interstate 75, and is designed to deliver up to 4.986 million square feet of facility space across ten buildings. While several industry trackers cite a $3.9 billion investment, that figure has not been independently confirmed at the time of writing. The approval marks a key step toward meeting rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing capacity in the Atlanta metropolitan market.

Project Overview

Wallace Jackson LLC filed a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) application with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The submission seeks rezoning and variances for parcels at 5745 and 5841 Jackson Road, currently zoned C-2 (Manufacturing), to C-1C (Manufacturing – Light). The design envisions a modular campus of ten server buildings, each optimized for high-density compute, storage, and networking.

Regulatory Process and Approvals

The rezoning request passed Spalding County’s Board of Commissioners without opposition. State oversight will continue through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which reviews DRI applications for regional impacts on traffic, utilities, environment, and local economies. Adam Printz is listed as the registered agent for Wallace Jackson LLC, and landowner records cite “Doug of Havenwood Holdings” as the property owner.

Site and Location Advantages

Griffin sits squarely on the I-75 corridor, offering fiber routes, highway access, and proximity to Atlanta’s data center ecosystem. The site’s flat terrain and existing road frontage on Jackson Road and Wallace Road help streamline construction logistics. In addition, the Atlanta region’s power grid and water infrastructure make it a proven choice for large compute campuses.

Technical Details and Design

The planned campus spans nearly 5 million square feet once fully built out. Its multi-building approach supports phased deployment of racks and chillers. Each building will house power distribution units, backup generators, and redundant cooling loops. The modular layout lets Wallace Jackson LLC scale capacity in response to demand, aiming to avoid “over‐provisioning” up front.

Economic Impact

Such a development typically brings hundreds of construction and engineering jobs in its early phases, followed by permanent technical and facilities‐management roles. Local tax revenues from property, sales, and utilities would rise accordingly. Indirectly, supporting businesses—suppliers, contractors, even hospitality—may see a boost. Although the often‐cited $3.9 billion investment remains unverified, it underscores the project’s scale.

Infrastructure and Utilities

High-density data centers demand robust electricity and water resources. Wallace Jackson LLC will coordinate with utility providers to secure grid upgrades and additional substation capacity. Water for cooling systems—whether closed‐loop or evaporative—must be managed under local permits. Transportation plans will address truck deliveries of equipment and fuel for backup generators.

Environmental and Community Considerations

Large data centers carry environmental footprints, notably energy consumption and water use. Project documents will need to detail emissions controls, water‐recycling strategies, and noise mitigation for cooling plants. Community feedback sessions often surface concerns about light pollution, traffic, and local tax incentives. Balancing economic gains with environmental stewardship will be an ongoing conversation.

Timeline and Phased Build-Out

DataCenterMap lists 2035 as the target for full build-out, indicating a roughly nine-year timeline. That suggests multiple construction phases—each adding server halls, switchgear, and cooling equipment. Phased roll-outs let the developer align capital expenditure with actual customer onboarding, reducing idle capacity.

Implications for Georgia’s Data Center Market

Georgia has emerged as a leading U.S. data center hub, thanks to competitive power rates, tax incentives, and fiber infrastructure. The Wallace Jackson campus adds nearly 5 million square feet to the Southeast pipeline, reinforcing the state’s appeal for AI, cloud, and digital‐services providers. Other regional projects may face stiffer competition for power and water resources as the market tightens.

Looking Ahead

As construction approaches, stakeholders will watch for finalized utility agreements, building permits, and environmental reviews. Workforce development programs may need to ramp up, too, to fill specialized roles in facilities management and network operations. We’ll also keep an eye on any adjustments to local zoning or state incentives that could affect project economics.

Final Considerations

The Wallace Jackson Data Center Campus exemplifies the practical challenges of scaling digital infrastructure—balancing heavy power demands, water usage, and community expectations. Going forward, transparency in permitting, clear environmental safeguards, and coordinated planning with utilities will be crucial. For Spalding County, this development could be a catalyst for broader economic growth, but it also raises questions about resource allocation and long-term sustainability in an ever-more digitized world.