Augusta-Richmond County has submitted a Development of Regional Impact review to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for the Nixon Technology Center, a data center campus proposed by developer 3 G Investments, LLC on land owned by the Nixon Trusts in southeast Richmond County. According to the DCA application summary for DRI #4853, the county submitted the initial DRI information form on Oct. 12, 2026 and an additional information form on Oct. 19. The record lists the project's current status as "Additional Form Submitted."

The project is proposed and under review. As WRDW reported in its Oct. 14 coverage, "The project has not been approved."

What the state filings describe

The initial DRI information form describes "a proposed 3.34 million SF data center campus to be located on one parcel totaling +/- 388 acres in southeast Richmond County." The listed addresses are 1550 and 1538 Four H Club Road and 3806 Mike Padgett Hwy. The developer gives a mailing address in Woodbridge, Va., and the form estimates build-out in 2028–2029.

The additional DRI information form carries the project's economic and infrastructure estimates. It puts the estimated value at build-out at $3 billion and estimated annual local tax revenue at $38.8 million, and it estimates 40 full-time-equivalent jobs. Georgia Power is named as the energy supplier, with an estimated peak connected load of 600 MW. Asked whether existing electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure is sufficient to serve the project, the form indicates that a study has been requested from the energy supplier. That is a request for a utility study, not a supply agreement or an approved connection.

On backup power, the form states: "There may be turbine generators for power back ups with battery storage."

Augusta Utilities is listed as the water supplier. The form says "the system is closed loop, so no usage will be in the MGD," and lists estimated sewage flow at 0 MGD. It also estimates 177 peak vehicle trips per day, and about 42,000 metric tons of electronic waste over the facility's life span, a figure the form says was taken from a national average study.

Local filings and differing figures

The DRI submission follows local land-use applications. According to WRDW, 3G Investments filed applications for rezoning and a special exception on Sept. 28, and Augusta Planning accepted them. The station noted that acceptance does not mean the city has determined the project meets every requirement. WRDW describes a seven-building campus on about 383 acres near Four H Club Road and Mike Padgett Highway, slightly less than the 388 acres in the DRI form. The property is partly zoned Heavy Industrial and partly Agricultural, and the developer is requesting a zoning change for land in the agricultural portion, which the new ordinance does not allow as a location for a data center campus, the station reported.

WRDW also reported figures from a draft financial impact analysis submitted by the developer. That analysis assumes about 600 MW across two phases, which the station described as a projection used for planning and financial estimates rather than confirmation that the utility has agreed to supply that amount. The analysis also projects about $12.1 million a year in electricity franchise tax revenue and about $417 million over 30 years. Those are separate measures from the $38.8 million in annual local tax revenue estimated on the DRI form.

Construction Review Online reported that the site is adjacent to Augusta Regional Airport and that the end user has not been disclosed. The publication also said the Trotter Jones law firm represents the property owners.

Augusta's new data center ordinance

The applications arrived while Augusta was adopting a data center ordinance. According to WRDW, commissioners approved the ordinance's first reading Sept. 15, a moratorium on new applications expired Sept. 19, and commissioners approved the second reading Oct. 6. That puts the Sept. 28 filings eight days before final approval, and the station said how the ordinance applies to this application still needs clarification. As WRDW summarized it, the ordinance generally limits large campuses to Heavy Industrial zoning with special exception approval and requires buildings to sit at least 500 feet from residential and agricultural property, with some reduced buffers allowed under conditions. It caps continuous noise at 65 decibels by day and 60 at night and generally limits buildings to 75 feet. It prohibits open-loop, once-through and water-consumptive cooling systems. A decommissioning plan must accompany the special exception application, and the ordinance requires site restoration within 270 days after discontinuation or abandonment.

Regional context

Construction Review Online reported that the project joins existing regional data center footprints by Google, QTS and Cloverleaf. DCA classifies the DRI in its Metro tier, outside GRTA jurisdiction, and routed it to the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission.

What Happens Next

As of Oct. 20, the DCA record shows no DRI determination, completeness certification or regional commission finding for DRI #4853. WRDW reported that no Augusta Planning Commission hearing date has been confirmed.

Augusta must still act on the rezoning request and on the special-exception application filed Sept. 28. The transmission study requested from Georgia Power has not been reported as complete.

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