Georgia’s economists weigh in on data center growth and tariff impacts

The Coda data center in Midtown Atlanta on May 7, 2025. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Georgia is going through numerous transitions, according to state economic forecasters at Georgia State University.

Amidst federal layoffs, spending cuts, and a pullback in film and TV spending by major Hollywood studios, the state’s diverse economy has few bright spots, such as data center construction.

Forecasters anticipate that as electricity demand rises, more power plants will be constructed outside core Atlanta counties to support the increased growth of data centers.