Data centers are becoming a bigger part of the technology economy, powering everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence. And as interest grows across metro Atlanta — and as the City assesses what this means within Atlanta’s municipal boundaries — so do questions about what that growth could mean.
How much water and power do data centers need? Where should they be located? What could they mean for nearby neighborhoods and utility costs? And what economic opportunities could they bring?
The City of Atlanta is working to answer those questions.
The Mayor’s Office is developing a comprehensive Data Center Strategy, with findings and recommendations expected by October 30, 2026. The work will take a close look at the potential benefits of data center investment as well as the demands it could place on Atlanta’s infrastructure and communities.
“Data centers can bring new opportunities to Atlanta, but we also need to understand what that growth means for our infrastructure and communities,” said Chief Strategy Officer Zaffer Sange. “This strategy will help us understand the tradeoffs, get the facts, and make informed decisions about Atlanta’s future.”
What is the City looking at?
The strategy will focus on several areas that directly affect Atlanta and its residents.
Water and energy: The City will look at how data center growth could affect demand on water, wastewater and electric systems, including whether additional infrastructure may be needed, who pays for it and how ratepayers can be protected.
Neighborhoods and land use: The work will examine where data centers may be appropriate and what they could mean for surrounding communities. That includes potential impacts related to housing and other development, noise, emissions, backup power and public safety.
Costs and economic opportunities: The City will examine potential effects on Atlanta’s tax base, utility revenues and infrastructure costs, while also looking at opportunities for economic development. The strategy will also consider how potential projects could deliver measurable community benefits, workforce opportunities, and accountability for any public support.
Technology and innovation: Data centers are closely connected to the growth of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The strategy will consider which types of data center facilities, if any, could best support Atlanta’s technology, research, workforce and innovation economy.
What other cities are doing: Atlanta will also look at how other communities are managing data center growth, including policies around where they are built, infrastructure costs, incentives and protections for residents.
Getting the right people at the table
This work will bring together expertise from across the City, including Planning, Watershed Management, Transportation, Finance, Sustainability and Resilience, Technology and Innovation, Atlanta Fire Rescue, Invest Atlanta and the Department of Law / City Attorney.
The City will also seek input from utilities, universities and technical experts, including Georgia Power, Georgia Tech and Atlanta University Center institutions.
The goal is straightforward: understand the full picture before deciding what Atlanta’s long-term approach should be.
What happens next?
The City plans to complete the Data Center Strategy on or before October 30 and provide its findings and recommendations to the Atlanta City Council.
Those findings will give the Mayor and Council a common set of facts to help guide future conversations and decisions.
Data centers present both opportunities and real questions for growing cities like Atlanta. By looking at the infrastructure, economic, environmental and community impacts together, Atlanta can make decisions based on what works for the city and the people who call it home.
