Metro Atlanta is becoming a national hub for data centers and AI-related infrastructure. These developments bring opportunities along with challenges and responsibility. When considering data center proposals, elected officials, utilities, and developers should coordinate early and ask the right questions to support effective, long-term decision making.
Data centers are secure facilities that often house large volumes of computer servers that store, process, and transmit data to power AI, cloud computing, e-commerce, and other uses. They operate 24-7 and can put pressure on local resources if not properly planned.
Depending on design, data centers can use large amounts of water for cooling. That’s a challenge in metro Atlanta, which relies on surface water and is prone to droughts. Closed-loop cooling systems that circulate a coolant through servers use far less water than designs that use evaporative cooling, mitigating water outage issues. However, data centers utilizing closed-loop cooling use significantly more energy.
Data centers generate tax revenues and offer opportunities for community reinvestment in areas such as affordable housing, public safety, parks, and open space. The facilities produce a limited number of high-skilled, high-wage technical positions.
Data centers can be larger than a big-box store, placing pressure on residential areas and other nearby developments and possibly leading to loss of trees and green spaces. Facilities may require installation of high-voltage power lines, and noise may be generated from backup power sources and cooling systems.
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