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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Telfair County

Slightly Pro-Data Center Policies

Georgia offers qualifying data centers sales-tax breaks on equipment through 2031, subject to investment, job, and reporting requirements, with repayment and interest possible if targets are missed. Large new power users may also face extra charges and stricter billing terms.

Rating and summary from Georgia statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Telfair County.

Specific to Telfair County only.

pending · Unincorporated areas
Proposes rules for data centers in unincorporated Telfair County, including fees, public meetings, location and noise limits, environmental monitoring, restrictions on cooling and power generation, and cleanup requirements.Telfair County Data Center Ordinance (proposed, 2026)

What this means

The proposed ordinance would make development significantly harder through substantial fees, required reviews and public meetings, strict setbacks and noise limits, and bans on open-loop cooling and primary on-site power generation (proposed requirements). These conditions could raise costs or rule out some projects, though the proposal is not a complete ban and applies only to unincorporated Telfair County (scope).

Timing

Ends
after 180 days

The source says Telfair County's 180-day data center moratorium remains in effect, but does not specify when the 180-day period began.

People behind it

  • Proposed and advanced the data center ordinance through public readings.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements17

  • Jeff Davis County adopted a one-year moratorium on data centers in May 2026. one-year data center moratorium

  • Telfair County’s 180-day data center moratorium remains in effect. 180-day data center moratorium

  • Appling County is using a temporary moratorium; the source does not specify its duration. temporary moratorium

  • Under Jesup’s proposed ordinance, data centers would be allowed in light-industrial districts only as a conditional use, rather than automatically permitted by the zoning. allow them as a conditional use

  • Telfair County’s proposed ordinance would require a $15,000 application fee and a $50,000 professional-review escrow deposit. a $15,000 application fee and a $50,000 professional review escrow deposit

  • The Telfair proposal would require developers to obtain a valid business license. a valid business license

  • The Telfair proposal would require developers to hold three public meetings, provide advance newspaper notice and site signage, and disclose application documents. hold three public meetings

  • The Telfair proposal calls for a 300-foot minimum setback from property lines and roads, additional separation from nearby structures, and a 100-foot undisturbed vegetative buffer. 300-foot minimum setback

  • The Telfair proposal would require muted colors on exterior walls facing neighboring properties and screening for equipment. muted colors

  • The Telfair proposal would limit continuous noise to 35 decibels measured 25 feet from the property line and restrict backup-generator testing to certain daytime hours. 35 decibels when measured 25 feet from the property line

  • The Telfair proposal would require exterior lighting to be shielded and subject to height and placement requirements. exterior lighting would have to be shielded

  • The Telfair proposal would prohibit open-loop cooling and primary on-site power generation. open-loop cooling would be prohibited

  • The Telfair proposal would require an independent environmental impact assessment and continued air, water, and soil testing. independent environmental impact assessment

  • The Telfair proposal would require developers to submit a traffic plan. submit a traffic plan

  • The Telfair proposal would require developers to provide specialized training and equipment for local emergency responders. specialized training and equipment for local emergency responders

  • The Telfair proposal would require an abandoned facility to be decommissioned and the property restored. decommissioned and restored

  • The Telfair proposal would bar applicants and successors from seeking certain county-related tax abatements, exemptions, payments in lieu of taxes, or other tax reductions. would not seek certain tax abatements

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • Jesup’s proposed ordinance would allow data centers as a conditional use in light-industrial zoning districts, providing a route to seek approval there; they would not be automatically permitted. Conditional use in light-industrial districts.

Sources

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