APPLING, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Residents along the Highway 221 corridor in Columbia County say the area has changed significantly, as new development — including two Google AI data center sites — moves into what was once a rural stretch of road.
Long-time residents describe the area as once having little more than a two-lane road, a four-way stop and a gas station. Now, the corridor sees school traffic backups, an Amazon facility and additional development underway.
‘There was nothing out there’
Catherine Newsome, who grew up in Appling, said the change is noticeable.
“There was nothing out there,” Newsome said. “It was just a two-lane road that went across the interstate, and then you had a four-way stop and a giant pumpkin on a gas station.”…