A massive 4 million square foot data center campus is now proposed outside Atlanta, adding fresh fuel to Georgia’s booming tech growth. The Hampton Technology Park project could reshape Henry County’s future even as local leaders weigh a pause on new data centers.
The plan, filed with state officials this week, signals that metro Atlanta’s data center surge is far from slowing down.
Hampton Technology Park Files DRI for 603 Acre Campus
Hampton Technology Park Owner LLC has submitted a Developments of Regional Impact application to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for a new data center campus in the city of Hampton.
The proposed project would span 603 acres along Lower Woolsey Road and could include five buildings totaling about 4 million square feet.
If approved, the campus could be built out in phases through 2033.
A DRI filing is required in Georgia for large scale projects that could affect traffic, environment, housing, and public services across multiple counties. The review does not mean automatic approval, but it signals that the project is significant enough to draw regional attention.
At 4 million square feet, Hampton Technology Park would rank among the largest planned data center campuses in Georgia.
Atlanta’s Data Center Boom Reaches Henry County
Metro Atlanta has quickly become one of the fastest growing data center markets in the United States.
Once considered a secondary market, Atlanta is now a prime hub due to:
-
Strong fiber connectivity
-
Reliable power infrastructure
-
Competitive land prices
-
Tax incentives
-
Proximity to East Coast population centers
Industry analysts report that tens of millions of square feet of new data center space have been proposed across Georgia in recent years.
Much of the early development centered around Fulton County. Now expansion is spreading south into Henry County and other parts of the state.
Hampton sits about 35 miles south of downtown Atlanta, making it attractive for hyperscale operators seeking large parcels of land outside the urban core.
Local Leaders Weigh 120 Day Moratorium
The timing of the Hampton Technology Park proposal is notable.
The city of Hampton is currently considering a 120 day moratorium on new data center development. City officials say they need time to study impacts on water usage, electricity demand, land use, and long term tax benefits.
Residents have raised questions at recent meetings about noise from backup generators, strain on power grids, and whether data centers create enough permanent jobs compared to their size.
Data centers typically generate strong property tax revenue but limited long term employment once construction ends.
Here is a quick look at the common debate:
| Potential Benefits | Common Concerns |
|---|---|
| Higher tax base | Heavy power usage |
| Infrastructure upgrades | Water consumption |
| Construction jobs | Limited permanent jobs |
| Tech ecosystem growth | Noise and land impact |
Supporters argue that large campuses can help fund schools and public services. Critics say cities must carefully balance growth with quality of life.
The moratorium, if passed, would temporarily pause approvals while officials update zoning and infrastructure planning rules.
Equinix Expansion Signals Long Term Demand
The Hampton proposal is not happening in isolation.
Equinix is already developing a 240 megawatt, four building campus in the same region.
That investment underscores strong demand from cloud providers, enterprise companies, and artificial intelligence platforms that require massive computing power.
Across Georgia, utilities have reported a sharp rise in large power requests tied to data center projects.
According to regional filings, developers continue to secure land in anticipation of future demand, especially as AI workloads increase energy consumption nationwide.
The Hampton Technology Park filing shows developers remain confident that Atlanta’s data center market will keep expanding through the end of the decade.
What Happens Next in the Approval Process
The DRI review by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs will evaluate:
-
Traffic impact
-
Environmental considerations
-
Infrastructure needs
-
Regional planning compatibility
Local zoning decisions will ultimately determine whether the project moves forward.
If approved, construction would likely happen in phases over several years. Large campuses often begin with one or two buildings, then expand as customers sign leases.
Industry experts note that hyperscale campuses of this size often serve cloud computing firms, AI training operations, financial services platforms, and content delivery networks.
For Hampton, the stakes are high.
The city must decide whether it wants to become a major node in America’s digital infrastructure map or slow growth to study long term impacts more carefully.
Georgia as a whole has leaned into data center growth, positioning itself as a major Southeast tech hub.
Now Henry County finds itself at the center of that shift.
As public hearings approach, residents, business leaders, and elected officials will debate how to balance economic opportunity with responsible planning.
The 4 million square foot Hampton Technology Park proposal is more than just another development filing. It represents the next chapter in Georgia’s race to become a national data center powerhouse.
Do you think large data center campuses are a smart investment for growing cities like Hampton, or should local governments slow down approvals? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.
