Georgia Overtakes Northern Virginia in Data Construction
Georgia now leads with 2,882 MW of capacity under construction, surpassing Northern Virginia's 2,420 MW.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Data Centers
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As of H1 2026, Georgia has emerged as the leader in new data center construction capacity, outpacing the traditional hub of Northern Virginia. This shift reflects broader industry trends as development moves toward regions with favorable tax incentives and land availability.
Why it matters
The shift in development highlights the competitive landscape between states for hyperscale facility investment, balancing economic growth against local concerns. Virginia officials continue to evaluate the long-term impact of this infrastructure on utility costs and land use.
Georgia currently claims 2,882 MW of capacity under construction compared to Northern Virginia's 2,420 MW. Major ongoing projects include Amazon's planned 122-acre development in Loudoun County and Stack Infrastructure's 19-building site in Stafford County.
The players
Abigail Spanberger
She is the Governor of Virginia who issued an accountability and transparency framework regarding data center development in September 2026.
Russet Perry
She is a State Senator in Virginia who filed legislation to propose a moratorium on new data center development.
Digital Realty
This global provider of cloud and carrier-neutral data centers recently invested $3.5 billion in Blackstone sites.
Stack Infrastructure
This firm develops and operates data centers and has begun work on a planned 19-building complex in Stafford County.
Amazon
This multinational technology company maintains a significant infrastructure footprint and has planned developments on 122 acres in Loudoun County.
The details
Development in Virginia is increasingly pushing into rural areas like Chesterfield County, where projects like Google's Project Peanut Campus have faced scrutiny over environmental sediment runoff. Meanwhile, companies continue to invest heavily in the region, such as Digital Realty's $3.5 billion capital infusion into Blackstone sites.
Timeline
H1 2026: CBRE report release confirmed Georgia's lead in construction capacity.
September 2026: Governor Spanberger issued an accountability and transparency framework.
2027: Upcoming legislative session will review data center development bills.
July 1, 2027: Proposed deadline for the end of a potential data center moratorium.
The Tech Race
The regional competition for data center capacity mirrors the ongoing struggle to balance rapid cloud infrastructure expansion with local regulatory frameworks. This development marks a shift away from the traditional concentration of data hubs near the federal government and Pentagon.
Residents in areas like Chesterfield and Loudoun counties may see changes in land use planning and utility cost recovery structures as regulations evolve. These shifts in construction volume directly influence local tax bases and the availability of resources for the community.
The takeaway
The rise of new data hubs in states like Georgia suggests that companies are increasingly prioritizing land and power availability over proximity to government centers. Residents should monitor upcoming 2027 legislative sessions for changes in how these facilities are taxed and regulated.
What happens next
Virginia lawmakers are scheduled to deliberate on a series of continued bills regarding data center tax oversight and land use during the 2027 legislative session.
Further reading
For additional context on the infrastructure landscape, explore the Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WVTF.
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