February 23, 2026
While there is no evidence of a malicious “hoax,” the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts admitted in January 2026 to a significant error that “inflated” the projected job benefits of data centers by over 70%.The Reporting ErrorA report initially released on Christmas Eve 2025 suggested that state tax exemptions for data centers would generate nearly 34,000 jobs. A correction issued just weeks later drastically reduced these figures:Georgia Public Broadcasting +2Construction Jobs: Originally estimated at 28,350; revised down to 8,505.Operations Jobs: Originally estimated at 5,471; revised down to 1,641.Economic Value: Initially reported as $3.4 billion; revised to $1 billion.Georgia Public Broadcasting +3The agency attributed the discrepancy to a calculation error made while summarizing data from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.Georgia Public Broadcasting +1Local Context and ControversyThis correction fueled ongoing skepticism from residents and lawmakers who argue that data centers consume massive amounts of energy and water while providing fewer long-term local jobs than traditional industries.Facebook +4Tax Exemptions: The state effectively gave away $474 million in tax breaks for data centers in the fiscal year ending July 2025.Local Impact: In areas like Twiggs County, residents have fought projects due to fears of environmental damage and minimal community benefit.Proposed Legislation: Some lawmakers have proposed a one-year halt on new data center tax breaks to re-evaluate their true economic impact.eorgia Public Broadcasting +4Despite the revision, tech giants like Microsoft and Google continue to defend their presence, claiming they still create hundreds of high-paying roles and significant tax revenue for local municipalities. |
Troup County Times and Watch 
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