Columbus is getting a $5 billion dollar data center much to the delight of local business leaders but not everybody is on board. The data center, dubbed Project Ruby by Missy Kendrick of Choose Columbus is the talk of the town. Tonight’s city council meeting’s public agenda is filled with people ready to sound off on the project.
Six of the ten people signed up for the public agenda list the data center as the topic for discussion. Kendrick said she is not surprised by the reaction and is currently holding town hall type meetings for questions and answers about the data center.
“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.
