The Director of Choose Columbus, Missy Kendrick appeared during the city council’s public agenda Tuesday night to dispel misinformation about the data center coming to Columbus. About half the citizens listed on the agenda had concerns about the impact of a data center.
In simple terms Kendrick told the audience a data center is a warehouse full of computers and the city has had data centers for 50 years.
Kendrick said she is not surprised by the reaction and is currently holding town hall type meetings for questions and answers about the $5 billion dollar data center. She said the data center dubbed Project Ruby will not necessarily be an AI data center. The project will be powered by Flint Energies not Georgia Power. With regard to noise, Kendrick said the nearest residents would live a mile away from the center. Early data centers did create noise and use a lot of water, but they have evolved over time she said.
“I welcome every opportunity to speak with leadership or concerned citizens about the data center. I look forward to sharing that this project will not negatively impact the environment, our water capacity, nor our electricity supply. I have found that being accessible, and actually speaking with people and providing them with correct information goes a long way towards alleviating many of their concerns,” Kendrick said in a statement to Now Georgia. The next public meeting is scheduled for March 6th, 2026. The location is to be determined.
Habitat Partners, the company that owns the data center has selected Layfield Road in the northeast corner of Columbus as the new site for the data center project.
The project includes a multi-year capital investment that could total more than $5.18 billion, spanning land acquisition, building construction, and equipment installation between 2027 and 2030. Each year’s investment will substantially grow the county’s tax digest. Based on the 2025 combined millage rate, the project will generate escalating annual property tax revenue, climbing to $68.7 million per year by 2030 before depreciation according to a press release from Choose Columbus.
“This project represents one of the largest technology investments in our region’s history,” said Selvin Hollingsworth, Development Authority of Columbus, Georgia Chairman. “Its economic and fiscal impacts will expand opportunity, enhance our tax base, and position Columbus as a competitive hub for future data driven industries.”
“Economic development is the fiscal heartbeat that drives any successful community. This project puts people from our region to work and provides sustainable revenues that will continue to enhance the quality of life for the residents of this community,” said Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson.
