Data centers in Walton County, Georgia: 1 project mapped

Imagery: Esri, Maxar

The Social Circle City Council approved a data center planned by Carrollton-based Atlas Development on 151 acres at Hawkins Academy Road and Roy Malcom Road in November 2025. In a series of 2-1 votes, the council approved annexation, rezoning from agricultural to light industrial, a special-use permit and a land-use map change, despite the planning commission's recommendation to deny each request. The project totals nearly 1.5 million square feet of buildings and an electrical substation, with conditions including single-story buildings and a reversion to agricultural zoning if construction has not begun within three years.

Residents packed the vote, with most objections coming from people living outside the city limits in unincorporated Walton County. "We don't have a voting voice on this council that votes these projects in," said Christina Studdard. One resident described rising bills: "Five years ago, my electricity was $114 per month... Now, it's $193." Mike Owens, who lives across the street and sits on the area's joint development authority, said data centers belong in industrial parks, not on zoning "islands."

The only data center already operating near Social Circle is Meta's, at the Stanton Springs development just outside the city limits. Social Circle paused new data center applications for six months starting September 2025, then in early 2026 adopted rules requiring special-use permits, a 50-acre minimum lot, noise limits, and water, sewer and gas impact studies for any future proposal.

Every project above is drawn from public records, filings and local reporting. Each row links to what it is based on. Statuses change, so check the source date before you rely on one. Found something wrong? Write to [email protected] and it gets fixed.