Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world's digital infrastructure company^® and regional, not-for-profit utility cooperative Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (CGEMC) announced a new partnership to protect Hampton, Ga. ratepayers and surrounding communities. In keeping with the company's commitment to President Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, Equinix will cover all grid infrastructure improvements and fund new transmission and power capacity needed to support growth and improve regional grid reliability and affordability for decades to come.

"The United States needs bold infrastructure investment, and we're proud to support efforts to drive economic growth and cutting-edge innovation while protecting ratepayers every step of the way," said Equinix Senior Vice President of Global Energy Adrian Anderson. "Our investment in Georgia shows the power of this idea in action. We've covered costs through an agreement that is locked in for more than 20 years, giving the community the certainty they can count on."

The agreement outlines that Equinix will cover any financial obligations CGEMC takes on for grid upgrades and new generation supply for the Hampton project, including unforeseen or shifting costs, guaranteeing that ratepayers are never left to pay costs associated with the project. Equinix will also supply up-front payments for the initial grid upgrade costs, covering a new high-voltage substation and two new high-voltage transmission lines, and early site assessments, modeling and engineering work. To lock in these provisions, Equinix and CGEMC have entered a 20-year "take-or-pay" style contract, meaning Equinix will pay 100% of CGEMC's costs for serving the contracted demand of the Hampton facility.

"This agreement with Equinix is a model for how utilities and data centers can come together to meet new power requests responsibly and fulfill President Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge," said CGEMC President & CEO George L. Weaver. "With this agreement in place, CGEMC can improve the reliability of our system, deliver economic opportunity to the region, and ensure large new customers are paying their fair share."

Equinix has been part of the metro Atlanta community for more than 15 years. Through the Hampton project, it will contribute up to $20 million annually in property tax revenue to the community, funding schools and emergency services, and will create more than 990 jobs from across the local economy. In 2023 alone, its presence contributed $23 million to household incomes in Atlanta from employment and value chain spend. The project will also extend Equinix's Pathways to Tech program to the region, which educates local students about careers in the data center industry. In 2025, Equinix hosted more than 60 data center tours and education sessions to engage over 1,800 students across 32 locations.

"Companies like Equinix are helping our state and nation stay at the forefront of innovative technology," said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. "By partnering with Central Georgia EMC in this way, they are making key investments in the local community and protecting ratepayers at the same time."

"Hampton is proud to welcome this kind of responsible, long-term investment in our community," said Mayor Ann Tarpley. "Equinix's commitment to covering these infrastructure costs upfront means our residents and local businesses get the benefits of growth, new jobs, stronger schools, and a more reliable grid, without carrying the financial burden. This is exactly the kind of partnership that helps a city like ours grow the right way."

This agreement builds off Equinix's partnerships with PG&E in San Jose, Calif. and ComEd in Northern Illinois and can serve as a model for other projects across the country. 

Additional Resources

• Equinix Together: Our five principles of community investment
• Blog: We're not just building data centers. We're building communities.