Deals & Incentives

The Amplify Cell Technologies battery plant in Marshall County has delayed production from its originally planned 2027 timeline. The $1.9 billion project, expected to create 2,000 jobs, remains under construction but faces disruption from the Trump administration's rollback of EV incentives.

DeSoto County News · Mississippi

Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms called for a statewide freeze on new data center projects, citing threats to Georgia's energy grid, while Republican rival Rick Jackson argued projects must meet strict local approval thresholds. The two traded accusations of hypocrisy over their respective ties to data center developments.

Atlanta News First · Fulton Co., GA

Effingham County, Georgia commissioners voted 4-1 to approve property tax relief measures tied to OpenAI's planned 3.2-gigawatt data center facility, with officials projecting a 30% average reduction for households and potential elimination of residential property taxes for qualified homesteads by 2028 under "Project Zero."

Daily Signal · Effingham Co., GA

Data center projects in central Alabama involve multiple stages from land acquisition through construction, with jurisdictions like Chelsea and Homewood implementing moratoria while officials evaluate impacts. Developers typically identify sites with power access and infrastructure before seeking rezoning, annexation, permits and other approvals that provide opportunities for public input on concerns including water use, noise and traffic.

WBMA · Alabama

New York-based Thor Equities has filed a Development of Regional Impact proposal for a $1 billion, 350,000-square-foot data center in Kingston, Bartow County. The project would generate $2 million in annual tax revenue and is scheduled for completion in 2030, marking Georgia's 17th new data center project announced since January 1.

thecentersquare.com · Georgia · also at The Black Chronicle, thecentersquare.com, The Augusta Press

Louisiana has attracted over $81.6 billion in data center investments and projected 2,000-plus permanent jobs while offering long-term tax exemptions, but the state has not publicly disclosed how much tax revenue will be forgone. States tracking similar exemptions show the facilities generate substantial tax activity during construction but often fail to offset the incentive costs.

Biz New Orleans · Louisiana

Pennsylvania's data center sales tax exemption will cost $188.4 million in fiscal year 2026-27, 113% more than the $88.6 million originally projected when the program took effect in 2022. Projections show costs ballooning to $517.2 million by fiscal year 2030-31, a 1,158% increase over six years.

Good Jobs First · Georgia

Some Louisiana Democrats who voted for a 2024 data center tax break that helped attract Meta, Amazon, and Anthropic say they regret the vote or would have scrutinized it more carefully. The law, which passed nearly unanimously, created an unlimited sales tax rebate for qualifying data centers investing at least $200 million.

thecentersquare.com · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

A new data center being developed on Getwell Road in Shelby County is proceeding without tax incentives, unlike most companies that typically seek tax abatements through the local economic development agency.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

Georgia Power and OpenAI received approval for a 3.2-gigawatt data center campus in Effingham County, with OpenAI funding all necessary infrastructure costs and committing to demand-response flexibility. The project is projected to generate approximately $950 million in annual savings for residential customers beginning in 2029, while OpenAI pledges $80 million in community benefits.

The South Shore Press · Effingham Co., GA

Democratic Senate nominee Roy Cooper is shifting his campaign stance on data centers, now advocating they pay for their own power and build independent energy sources to address rising electricity costs for consumers, a departure from his earlier support for data center growth as North Carolina governor.

Fox News · Mississippi · also at 930 WFMD Free Talk, kotaradio.com

Carrier Global Corp. is considering Alabama, Fort Worth and Virginia for a new $434 million manufacturing plant that would produce data center cooling systems and create nearly 500 jobs. A final site selection is expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Yellowhammer News · Jefferson Co., AL

A Gallup poll found over 70% of Americans oppose AI data centers near their homes due to noise, resource consumption, and other impacts. The article argues Alabama should strengthen state regulations on water usage and siting while giving local communities authority to approve or reject data center projects.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

Caddo Parish Commissioner John Paul Young sought a two-year moratorium on tax incentives for data center projects, but the parish attorney said a moratorium cannot be enacted via resolution and would require a master plan and ordinance under state law. The resolution was sent to committee.

KSLA · Louisiana · also at KSLA

Anderson County Council will vote Tuesday on a proposed six-month moratorium on data-center applications while officials develop regulations addressing impacts on utilities, water, infrastructure, and property owners. The meeting also includes votes on zoning changes, an economic-development incentive agreement, and recognitions for a scenic byway and local sports teams.

The Anderson Observer · Chatham Co., GA

Caddo Parish Commissioner John-Paul Young will introduce legislation next week proposing a two-year moratorium on new data center permits in unincorporated areas under the Commission's jurisdiction and on tax agreements with new data center developers. Young reversed his earlier support for data center incentives, citing community opposition and concerns about energy consumption.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Caddo Parish, LA

Caddo Parish plans to introduce a two-year moratorium on tax breaks for data centers to assess long-term effects, though the measure would not affect an Amazon Web Services campus currently under construction. Commissioner John-Paul Young cited concerns about environmental impacts and water consumption.

KTBS 3 · Louisiana · also at The Center Square

Blakely has approved a memorandum of understanding with QTS Data Centers regarding a proposed data center project. Under the agreement, QTS will pay $7.5 million initially and $7 million annually, with funds divided among the city, county, and school system for infrastructure improvements.

WTVY · Georgia

Meta agreed to comply with Texas Governor Greg Abbott's new standards for large data centers, which require developers to fund their own electric infrastructure, conserve water, minimize community impacts and disclose taxpayer-funded incentives. The standards apply to projects within ERCOT and those under Public Utility Commission regulation.

WBMA

Microsoft is working to reverse local tax incentive agreements it received for three Metro Atlanta data center projects in East Point, Palmetto and Douglasville, months after pledging to self-fund its expansions. The move follows mounting criticism from local governments and residents over tax breaks for large tech companies.

bisnow.com · Fulton Co., GA

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville called on Alabama Power to extend a rate freeze beyond 2028 and requested legislation prohibiting incentive packages for data centers, while supporting their development if companies pay all associated costs.

AL.com · Alabama

mississippifreepress.org · Hinds Co., MS

Technology company Corderill LLC will invest at least $100 million in data center equipment as a tenant at Compass Datacenters' Meridian campus, creating at least 20 direct jobs, according to the Mississippi Development Authority.

aol.com · Lauderdale Co., MS

Several Louisiana state lawmakers are withdrawing from nondisclosure agreements with the state's economic development agency, citing voter pressure and concerns about secret business negotiations. At least four legislators requested the Louisiana Economic Development agency terminate their NDAs after constituents objected to undisclosed data center deals.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Mississippi offers data centers a 10-year exemption on sales and use taxes for construction materials and equipment, plus income and franchise tax exemptions. Companies must be approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, invest at least $20 million and create at least 20 full-time jobs paying 125% of the average state wage.

DeSoto County News · Mississippi · also at Sun Herald

OpenAI announced plans for a 3.2 gigawatt data center called "Project Camellia" in Rincon, Georgia at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub. The company will invest $20 billion in construction, commit $80 million in local support, and use a closed-loop water system, with phased development planned between 2028 and 2032.

AOL.com · Georgia

OpenAI announced plans for a 3.2-gigawatt data center in Rincon, Georgia called Project Camellia, which will use a closed-loop water system and provide flexible power demand response to Georgia Power while committing $80 million in local support.

AOL.com · Georgia

Columbiana's city council approved a $3.5 million community impact payment from DigiPowerX, a Bitcoin mining company converting to a data center operations. The company receives a 12-month sales and use tax abatement during construction, with the city planning to use funds for infrastructure projects like sidewalk and road improvements.

WBRC · Alabama

A proposed 1,500-megawatt data center near a historic 1965 civil rights march campsite in Lowndes County could receive up to a 30-year tax abatement, though the speculative developer's eventual operator remains unidentified. County commissioners have debated the incentive, with some arguing against approving tax breaks before a formal request is submitted.

Yellowhammer News · Dallas Co., AL

OpenAI secured a 25-year power contract with Georgia Power for 3.2 gigawatts to support a $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County, Georgia. The secretive deal sparked community backlash, with nearly 1,000 residents attending a contentious meeting to voice concerns about noise, traffic, and environmental impact.

Tech Times · Effingham Co., GA

OpenAI plans to build a $30 billion AI data center in Effingham County, Georgia near Savannah, with operations expected to begin in 2028 and expand to 1,000 employees by 2032. The company has secured 3.2 gigawatts of power from Georgia Power and will receive a 50% property-tax abatement for 15 years, while contributing $80 million for local community services.

Gotrade · Effingham Co., GA

State Sen. Sam Givhan questions whether Alabama should offer tax breaks for future data centers, noting the state currently provides 20-year incentives. Givhan emphasizes that energy needs and workforce considerations should guide data center policy decisions in North Alabama.

1819 News · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyShelby County Reporter

Headline onlythecentersquare.com · Georgia

Headline onlyAJC.com · Clayton Co., GA

Headline onlyGovTech · Clayton Co., GA

Headline onlyfortune.com · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyAJC.com

Headline onlyAJC.com