Effingham County votes to hire firm to oversee Phase 1 of data center
Effingham County commissioners unanimously selected Charles Abbott Associates Inc. to oversee civil, structural, permitting and construction activities for Phase 1 of OpenAI's Project Camellia data center near Rincon. Site-plan approval remains pending while planning, permitting and a sound study continue, with residents raising concerns about electricity, water use and noise.
Effingham County commissioners unanimously hired Charles Abbott Associates Inc. to provide independent oversight for the first phase of Project Camellia, a large data center development planned near Rincon. The firm will handle civil and site reviews, building and structural reviews, preconstruction coordination and construction inspections, with an expected team of 12 people. County Manager Tim Callanan said the county sought a firm with specialized experience in large industrial data center projects.
OpenAI has been conducting community outreach near the project site, including more than 1,100 home visits. Residents have asked about electricity and water consumption and potential noise, while the company says a sound study is underway and permitting, design and planning remain in progress. A planned county vote on the site's plans was removed from the agenda, and no construction start date has been announced.