Augusta Neighbors Raise Concerns Over Planned Data Center

Residents near proposed west Augusta facility want more details on size, impact

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Neighbors living near a planned west Augusta data center will get to learn about the project and provide input during a public forum on Wednesday night. Many residents say they were unaware of the data center plans until recently and want clarity on the project's size, impact on traffic, noise, wetlands, and why they weren't informed sooner. Representatives from the data center company, city planning staff, and Augusta Commission members will be at the meeting to share information and answer questions.

Why it matters

Data centers have become a growing concern for communities across the country, with residents worried about the impacts these large facilities can have on property values, the environment, and quality of life. This case highlights the importance of transparency and community engagement when planning major infrastructure projects that can significantly affect local neighborhoods.

The details

The proposed data center would be located between the Haynes Station and Captain's Corner subdivisions. Plans for the facility have been in the works for close to four years, though some neighbors say they only recently learned about it. The original proposal was made by T5 Data Centers in 2022, but a new developer, QTS Data Centers, has since stepped in with a larger footprint. The Augusta Planning Commission approved the property for rezoning in June 2024, but the application indicates the center is likely to impact wetlands and floodplains.

  • The public forum will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2026 from 6-7:30 PM.
  • The original proposal for the data center was made by T5 Data Centers in 2022.
  • The Augusta Planning Commission approved the property for rezoning in June 2024.

The players

QTS Data Centers

The data center company that has stepped in with a larger footprint for the proposed facility in west Augusta.

Wanda Samuels

A resident of the Haynes Station neighborhood, which is near the proposed data center site.

Dr. Zakiya Mabery

A Haynes Station resident who says the data center plans were not well communicated to the community.

Charles Zabel

A Haynes Station neighbor who is concerned about the potential impacts of the data center on property values, water, and power consumption.

Augusta Commission

Members of the local government body that will be present at the public forum to share information and answer questions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's peaceful and quiet. It's pretty much like this all the time.”

— Wanda Samuels, Haynes Station resident (WRDW)

“Flying Under the Radar. Yeah. And I was like, all in researching and then I put together a Zoom for the 5th of January and that's when we met. We all got to meet.”

— Dr. Zakiya Mabery, Haynes Station resident (WRDW)

“It's a lot of unknowns. We just wanna make sure that we're safe, the community is safe. We got kids that are growing up in this community as well.”

— Charles Zabel, Haynes Station neighbor (WRDW)

What’s next

Representatives from QTS Data Centers, the city planning and development staff, and members of the Augusta Commission will be at the public forum on Wednesday to share information and answer questions from the community.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of transparent communication and community engagement when planning major infrastructure projects that can significantly impact local neighborhoods. Residents deserve to have a voice in the process and receive clear information about potential effects on their quality of life.