Columbia County leaders say a planned Google data center in Appling could put the county on a path to eliminate its share of homestead property taxes while shielding residents from the project’s power costs.
The county announced the partnership July 23 as President Donald Trump expanded his national Ratepayer Protection Pledge in Washington. Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan said officials entered negotiations “solely” to eliminate county homestead taxes. The county has not released a timetable or estimate of household savings.
Google will be the sole operator of the proposed campus, which officials say will broaden the commercial tax base supporting schools, roads and public safety. The county’s formal announcement is more cautious than viral social media claims, saying project revenue is expected to support long-term tax relief rather than promising immediate elimination.
Under the agreement, Google committed to pay 100% of energy costs tied to the development, including infrastructure, transmission and capacity expenses. Georgia Power’s Customer Protection Pledge says large energy users must pay for infrastructure built to serve them. The utility says its growing large-energy customer base helped enable a base-rate freeze through 2028, though fuel and storm charges remain subject to separate proceedings.
Supporters point to Richland Parish, Louisiana, where some teachers received bonuses of up to $50,935 after Meta’s data center construction helped more than double local sales and use tax collections.
Trump’s expanded pledge covers roughly 80% of power delivered nationwide, according to the White House. The commitment is voluntary, however, and The Associated Press reported it remains unclear whether growing electricity demand will produce lasting savings.
For Columbia County, the measure of success will be whether the promised relief eventually appears on homeowners’ tax bills.
