Amazon’s $270M Georgia Land Purchase Signals Potential Data Center

Amazon has acquired nearly 985 acres of land in Lamar County, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, in a $270 million deal finalized on July 25, according to The Barnesville Buzz. While the tech giant has not confirmed how the land will be used, early indications point to a potential data center, though warehouse operations remain a possibility.

The deal marks one of the largest private land acquisitions in the county’s history and comes just months after Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced an $11 billion investment in Georgia, focused on advancing cloud computing and AI infrastructure.

“We are constantly evaluating new locations based on customer demand… and are performing due diligence in exploring possible data center locations,” Amazon said in a statement to WABE.

The development has stirred a mix of anticipation and concern among Lamar County residents. County officials have confirmed that pre-construction community meetings will be held, where Amazon is expected to outline the scope of the project and address local impacts.

“At these meetings, Amazon will clarify their plans, providing greater insight into the nature and scope of their project,” said Commission Chairman Ryran Traylor. “We recognize that industrial developments can impact surrounding properties, and we are committed to ensuring that this new project brings the minimal possible disruption.”

Amazon’s growing presence in Georgia promises to bring 550 high-skilled tech jobs, as detailed in a January press release announcing AWS’s regional expansion. State officials have embraced the move, citing Georgia’s thriving tech landscape and business-friendly policies.

“State and local leaders have cultivated an environment that enables companies like AWS to make bold, forward-looking investments,” the company noted earlier this year.

However, large-scale data centers are not without controversy. Environmental advocates warn of the potential risks to air and water quality, especially in communities already burdened by environmental injustice.

Lamar County, where the land is located, is nearly 30% Black, according to Data USA. The demographic composition has raised concerns about the potential for environmental racism, a charge increasingly leveled at similar projects across the U.S.

Amazon’s plans echo recent developments in Memphis, Tennessee, where a data center project led by Elon Musk triggered lawsuits over its environmental impact on majority-Black neighborhoods. Advocacy groups, including the NAACP, have taken legal action, alleging that such infrastructure disproportionately harms marginalized communities.