Date: June 29, 2026
Cherokee County Gets $14 Million Tax Boost from AI Data Center
At a recent commissioners meeting the county tax assessor and CFO delivered big news on the CoreWeave AI data center in Marble. The facility reported a 2026 depreciated value exceeding $2.25 billion. That single filing could generate roughly $14 million in direct business property tax revenue to Cherokee County for this year alone. The information arrived late, after the board had already approved a one-cent millage rate increase in early June. Once commissioners saw the full picture they voted unanimously to rescind the increase, with visible celebration in the room. Chairman Alan Bryant told local radio afterward, “It will change the world for us, unless they default on paying taxes or go bankrupt.” For scale, the combined cryptocurrency mining centers in the county are expected to pay a total of about $35,000. The county budget has not been formally adopted yet, and officials are weighing whether this level of revenue will continue.
Sources:
2026-06-23 | WJRB local radio newscast – https://www.facebook.com/WJRBRadio/posts/by-jeff-battenwjrb-951wjul-977-newscastapril-19-2026investigators-are-still-cons/1727965438265270/
Meth Trafficking Arrests in Cherokee County
Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Marietta Police Department in Georgia. They arrested Loretta Huskins of Andrews and Rose Cathey after a traffic stop where roughly half a pound of methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle. A follow-up search warrant at Huskins’ home recovered additional suspected methamphetamine, digital scales, and packing materials. The operation highlights ongoing efforts to keep dangerous drugs out of our communities.
Sources:
2026-06-25 | https://www.wyff4.com/article/deputies-arrest-two-women-meth-trafficking-bust/71733522
New Dollar General Opens in Murphy
A new Dollar General store has opened at 138 Ledford Street in Murphy. The grand opening event is set for this Saturday at 8 a.m., with $10 gift cards for the first 50 adult customers and tote bags for the first 100 shoppers. The location is expected to create 6 to 10 new jobs and improve access to affordable everyday goods while contributing to local tax revenue and economic activity.
Sources:
2026-06 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/dollar-general-opens-new-murphy-store
Panel Built Expands Operations in Blairsville
Panel Built, Inc. announced major facility expansions in Blairsville. The company is adding a 73,000-square-foot addition to its main campus and a 6,400-square-foot expansion at another site. The growth supports increased production of modular buildings and enclosures for large-scale infrastructure and utility projects. It also strengthens ongoing partnerships, including work with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories on power infrastructure solutions.
Sources:
2026-05-13 | https://apnews.com/press-release/access-newswire/panel-built-inc-announces-facility-expansions-to-support-strategic-growth-and-key-utility-partnerships-bb4a3d7fa892f63522eb071099ba6321
Gateway Project Advances in Blue Ridge
Work continues on the 34-acre Gateway project in Blue Ridge, Georgia, located across Blue Ridge Drive from Walmart. Infrastructure installation, including water and sewer lines, is underway. The development will be anchored by a new grocery store with additional retail planned. Construction is projected to employ around 500 people, with a goal of hiring locally. Officials expect a Spring 2027 opening and note the project will help retain local spending and tax revenue.
Sources:
2026-06 | https://www.thenewsobserver.com/local-news-newsletter/gateway-project-step-closer
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