White Oak Technology Park
Preserving Harmony, Driving Innovation
Today’s data centers are built with the community in mind—using advanced technology to minimize environmental impact, operate quietly, and blend into adjoining land uses. They create good local jobs and generate significant tax revenue to support schools, infrastructure, and services—all with little to no disruption to daily life.
Project Information
White Oak Technology Park/Trammell Crow Company is designing and preparing a 1,900-acre site for a technology campus for Data Centers, within one mile off exit 183 along I-20 and HWY-221. The state-of-the art campus will bring the region new economic opportunities through billions of dollars in investment, tax revenue, and other community support.
WHAT IS A DATA CENTER? Data centers are essentially where the internet lives, housing the vital infrastructure to support our ability to stay connected in the digital world. Additionally, data centers house computer systems and equipment used to store, process, and share information. It’s like the brain of the internet and other digital services, making things like emergency services, streaming videos, online shopping, and using apps possible. Data centers are essential for businesses and organizations to keep information safe and running smoothly.
POWER SUPPLY As part of the due diligence pertaining to this project, Trammell Crow Company has engaged Georgia Power for the campus power study. While data centers use a large amount of power, the power is not connected to the same grid as residential uses. Residential uses distribution power, while data centers use transmission power. This means that the power for current residential uses will remain untouched, and the data center will not draw down power from residential uses. The new regulations Georgia Power is putting into place means that this project will not increase rates for residential customers as the data center pays for power improvements. The cost of providing service to this site and building the necessary infrastructure will be borne by the project itself and will not be passed down to the ratepayers. The White Oak Technology Park is located adjacent to premier access to a robust and sustainable energy grid, including renewable energy integration, to reliably meet data centers’ substantial power demands, with an existing electrical transmission corridor with both 115kv and 230kv transmission lines.
WATER AND SEWER The project and data center campus will rely on the Columbia County Water Utility for water and sewer service. Data centers can use a variety of cooling options, and each tenant has their own preference. Some users prefer evaporative cooling (open), which uses a significant amount of water, while some use a closed system that is similar to how many office buildings are cooled. The closed system uses a fraction of the water used by an open system, and once the system is filled, it recirculates water and glycol to provide cooling. If an open system is used, the project will implement a water recycling program for approximately 30% of the water not evaporated in the cooling process. Discussions have started with the Water Utility to determine the path, timing and capacity of an upgraded water system to serve the site. If a closed loop is selected by the tenant(s), then the existing water system is sufficient for the park. The costs of extending water infrastructure to the project are factored into the development and will not be passed on to neighboring water customers.
NOISE IMPACT One of Trammell Crow Company’s top priorities, in partnership with the Development Authority and Board of Commissioners of Columbia County, is to ensure that there are limited views of the data center and minimal sound from the data center in designing the 1,900-acre site. This will be accomplished via 500-foot vegetative buffers along residential property lines and architectural standards to minimize visual and environmental impacts, preserving the rural aesthetic of Appling. The buildings, as presently designed, are approximately 1 mile from HWY-221 and sit behind an existing industrial park. Positioning the eventual structures on the site away from the perimeter will ensure that any noise from the facility is minimized as much as possible. In addition, most state-of-the-art data centers today use advanced sound barriers and design features to reduce noise significantly.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT This project will follow all laws and regulations and uphold state and federal environmental standards. Many modern data centers prioritize sustainability by utilizing water-efficient cooling systems and sourcing power from clean energy providers. The Park will maintain compliance with state and local environmental regulations and best practices and will include sustainable landscaping and green space preservation. The project's stormwater management plan will meet or exceed all regulatory requirements. Measures such as permeable surfaces and engineered drainage solutions will help prevent flooding, lower the volume to predevelopment rates, and protect water quality in surrounding areas.
HEALTH IMPACT Modern data centers are among the safest types of facilities to live nearby. They don’t emit harmful pollutants, hazardous materials, or loud noise. In fact, they’re quiet, secure, and built with strict environmental and public health standards in mind.
TRAFFIC IMPACT Data centers generally have a low impact on daily traffic, as they do not require large numbers of employees commuting at peak hours. Unlike retail stores, subdivisions, or warehouses, this facility will generate a low volume of daily traffic and very little will be from trucks. Any construction-related traffic will be temporary and managed to minimize disruptions.
ECONOMIC IMPACT Typical employment in technology parks involves highly skilled, well-compensated roles such as IT professionals, facility operations personnel, and security specialists. White Oak Technology Park aims specifically to employ Columbia County residents through strategic partnerships with Augusta University, Augusta Technical College, and veterans transitioning from Fort Gordon. The data center will generate significant economic benefits, including: Tax Revenue: The facility will contribute to the local tax base, funding public services like schools, emergency response, and infrastructure improvements. Job Creation: The project will create high-paying, skilled jobs in IT, engineering, security, cybersecurity, and operations management. Additionally, it will create indirect employment opportunities in various local businesses and industries.
PROSPERITY & CHARACTER IMPACT By locating a data center in this strategic location near I-20, White Oak Technology Park will join many other communities in Georgia and South Carolina that are now home to dozens of data centers. Communities of all kinds have brought data centers into their areas, whether they are urban, rural, or somewhere in between. With cutting-edge innovation, data centers can fit into any community and provide substantial economic growth, benefiting residents and existing businesses. They also enhance an area's appeal for further investments in technology, research, and innovation while maintaining that community’s charm and character.
DATA CENTER SECURITY The project will be secured by controlled access and private, on-site security. Data Center campuses are some of the most secure, private facilities in the country, so there should be no impact on public safety.
PROJECT ENGINEERS Trammell Crow Company is working with Kimley Horn for master planning services, and S&ME for site due diligence. This project will follow all local, state, and federal laws.
REZONING APPLICATION The Columbia County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners has approved the proposed site for rezoning. The park is now under an S-1 Special District Zoning for a data center only project. Landscaping, roads, and buffers will be maintained either by the property owner, developer, or operator, ensuring the site's aesthetics and functionality remain intact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Will this increase my utility bill? No. The cost of power and water infrastructure for the project is paid by the developer, not by existing customers. 2. Will I see or hear the data center from my property? No. Facilities will be set back with 500-foot vegetative buffers and advanced noise and light mitigation features. 3. What kind of jobs will this create? Data centers create high-paying roles in IT, security, engineering, and facility management, plus indirect jobs in local service industries. 4. Will there be a lot of traffic? Data centers have low daily traffic, with few on-site employees and limited truck activity. 5. What happens if the project is only partially built or stalls? The site is being designed for phased development. Even if not built out immediately, the site will be maintained and held to zoning and environmental standards. 6. Are hazardous materials stored on-site? No. Modern data centers do not store hazardous or flammable materials on site. 7. Will construction happen at night? No. All construction work will occur during standard hours and follow County noise regulations. 8. Will the development affect my property value? Similar projects in other communities have shown stable or increased property values due to quiet operation and tax benefits.
Project Benefits
Tax Revenue
The facility will contribute to the local tax base, funding public services such as local fire departments, emergency response and infrastructure improvements, as well as generate annual tax revenue for Columbia County Schools.
Property Value
The White Oak Technology Park will bring long-term economic benefits with minimal disruption, enhancing property values rather than diminishing them.
Job Growth
The project will create high-paying, skilled jobs in IT, engineering, security, cybersecurity, and operations management. Additionally, it will create indirect employment opportunities in various local businesses and industries.
Prosperity
By securing a major technology company's data center, White Oak Technology Park is poised to benefit from substantial economic growth, benefiting both residents and existing businesses. It also enhances the area's appeal for further investments in innovation.
Site Plan
