RPAC
GEORGIA’S DATA CENTER DEBATE: Moratoriums, Zoning, and Community Pushback
January 27, 2026
Prospects for local tax revenue and job creation remain a major driver behind many counties’ openness to data centers. In some rural communities, commissioners have described proposed facilities as transformative — offering millions in tax revenue that could reduce the burden on residents and fund public services.
Yet that promise comes with challenges. Critics point to enormous water and energy consumption, potential strain on infrastructure, and questions over whether the number of permanent jobs justifies the scale of the facilities. Residents have voiced concerns about environmental impacts, noise, traffic, and changes to rural character.
In Atlanta proper, city leaders have enacted rules restricting data center construction in key urban redevelopment areas like the Beltline and close to major transit stations, reflecting a desire to shape land use in a way that prioritizes residential, retail, and mixed-use development over industrial server parks.
About the PBOR Market Brief
The Paulding Board of REALTORS® (PBOR) Market Brief is compiled by First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS). For more information on details of this month's report, please contact the Board at 770.866.1397.
*Each month, the numbers reported for the previous month are updated to reflect additional recordings.
About the Paulding Board of REALTORS®
The Paulding Board of REALTORS® (PBOR) has been an instrumental factor in the growth of real estate in Paulding County, Georgia for more than a decade. PBOR serves as a central source of information for its members, with mainly focusing on real estate education, the promotion of professionalism in the industry and representing REALTORS® members with legislative initiatives to create positive change for the real estate community.
About First Multiple Listing Service
First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) is the premier data services provider for real estate professionals in Georgia. FMLS was founded in 1957 by a group of Brokers who wanted to share their listings and connect buyers and sellers. Today FMLS is the largest MLS in Georgia & the 4th largest MLS in the United States, serving nearly 54,000 real estate Agents & Brokers. For additional information or to start a discussion about how to partner with FMLS please contact join@fmls.com.