A former member of the Newnan Youth Council was recognized at the White House this week for her role in securing a major economic development project that local leaders say could eventually eliminate homestead property taxes for homeowners in Columbia County. Cheney Eldridge, executive director of the Development Authority of Columbia County and a Newnan native, was recognized during an announcement highlighting a strategic data center partnership involving Columbia County, Georgia Power, Southern Company and Google. Speaking at the event, Columbia County Board of Commissioners Chairman Doug Duncan credited Eldridge with leading the development effort. "I have with us today Cheney Eldridge," Duncan said. "She's our executive director of our development authority. She actually ran point on the development of this project, found the site and actually found the user, so just thank you, Cheney." According to Duncan, the agreement requires Google to pay all costs associated with the project's electrical infrastructure. "Google is committed to be solely responsible for paying 100 percent of all upstream and downstream energy costs, the infrastructure, everything associated with this project," Duncan said. "… State and local taxpayers and ratepayers are completely absolved of infrastructure, transmission or capacity costs." Duncan said the project is expected to generate enough revenue to allow Columbia County to eliminate its homestead property tax while protecting electric…
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