Bulldozing Approved for Columbia County Data Center

Project 'Pumpkin' gets green light to begin land clearing for new facility

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A land disturbance permit has been approved for phase one of the 'Project Pumpkin' data center project in southwest Columbia County, Georgia, allowing the developer to begin bulldozing the 420-acre heavily wooded site. The plan includes measures to control water runoff and protect wetlands, but has raised concerns from local residents about the environmental impact.

Why it matters

The approval of this data center project reflects the growing demand for digital infrastructure in Georgia, driven by the state's booming technology industry. However, the development has sparked concerns from the community about the potential environmental consequences, particularly the impact on local wetlands and waterways.

The details

The land disturbance permit allows the developer to begin clearing trees and preparing the site for construction, but prohibits any work within the wetlands or state waters without additional permits. The plan includes measures to control water runoff, such as installing silt fences and constructing permanent ponds. The 420-acre site is currently heavily wooded and contains wetland tributaries that flow into Hawes Branch and Kiokee Creek.

  • The land disturbance permit was approved on February 16, 2026.
  • Grading can begin at any time, but the developer has not yet submitted building plans, which will likely happen over the next few weeks.

The players

Project Pumpkin

The name of the data center project being developed in southwest Columbia County, Georgia.

Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency responsible for enforcing regulations related to wetlands and waterways, and which can prosecute any violations of the permit's restrictions.

Georgia Power

The utility company that is expanding its energy capacity to meet the growing demands of the state's data center industry, which has raised concerns from some customers.

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What’s next

The developer has not yet submitted building plans for the data center, which will likely happen in the coming weeks. The local community will continue to monitor the project's progress and environmental impact.

The takeaway

This data center project highlights the tension between the growing demand for digital infrastructure and the need to protect the environment. While the project has been approved, the community's concerns about the potential impact on local wetlands and waterways will likely continue to be a focus of discussion and scrutiny.