Controversial data center campus approved in Coweta County

The $17 billion project will bring nine buildings and two substations to rural Georgia despite local opposition.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:22am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring polished metal data server racks and geometric cooling units arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract corporate infrastructure behind a controversial data center project.The sleek, high-tech equipment of a modern data center campus belies the complex community tensions surrounding its development.Newnan Today

Coweta County commissioners have approved the rezoning of an 800-acre forest to allow for the development of a massive new data center campus known as Project Sail. The project, which will be one of the largest in Georgia, has faced significant opposition from local residents who are concerned about the impact on the rural character of the area. However, developers see the site's proximity to Georgia Power as a major advantage and are moving forward with the $17 billion project.

Why it matters

The approval of this data center campus represents a significant shift in the development priorities for Coweta County, which has traditionally been a more rural area. The project's large scale and potential environmental impact have raised concerns among local residents who want to preserve the area's green spaces and existing community character.

The details

Project Sail calls for the development of nine data center buildings and two substations on an 800-acre forested site in rural Coweta County. The Citizens for Rural Coweta group collected over 8,000 signatures in opposition to the project, arguing that it goes against the county's comprehensive plan and will negatively impact the surrounding residential areas. However, developers from Prologis see the site's proximity to Georgia Power infrastructure as a major advantage that makes it an ideal location for a large-scale data center campus.

  • The Coweta County commissioners approved the rezoning for the project on April 11, 2026.

The players

Citizens for Rural Coweta

A local community group that organized opposition to the data center project and collected over 8,000 signatures against the rezoning.

Prologis

The real estate development company that is leading the Project Sail data center campus.

Melanie Tomlinson

A local resident and member of the Citizens for Rural Coweta group who spoke out against the project.

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What they’re saying

“It is very rural. It's surrounded by families. There are over 1,200 homes within a mile and a quarter of the site, and it just goes against the comprehensive plan.”

— Melanie Tomlinson, Resident and Citizens for Rural Coweta member

“We would like Coweta County not to jump in so far and so fast and so big before we can fully understand those risks and what they might bring to our county.”

— Melanie Tomlinson, Resident and Citizens for Rural Coweta member

What’s next

The $17 billion Project Sail data center campus is set to move forward in Coweta County despite the local opposition, with construction expected to begin in the coming months.

The takeaway

The approval of this large-scale data center project in a traditionally rural area of Coweta County highlights the tension between economic development priorities and community preservation. While the project's backers see it as an opportunity, many local residents are concerned about the impact on the area's character and environment.