Group crosses party, age lines to unite against data centers

Effingham County, Georgia, residents are actively uniting to slow or stop the development of data centers, specifically opposing OpenAI's proposed 1,400-acre "Project Camellia" campus. Following OpenAI's announcement a month ago, a group of over 100 individuals formed the "Protect Effingham Alliance," which officially became a 501(c)(4) nonprofit on August 17.

The alliance's primary goals include educating residents about the project, seeking independent analyses of its potential economic and environmental impacts, and demanding transparency from local officials. Members expressed alarm over the lack of information from officials regarding the data center, stressing the need for legally enforceable assurances rather than relying solely on OpenAI's statements.

The group, comprised of diverse community members, began organizing after an open house revealed widespread confusion and concern about the project and the way its announcement was handled. They are committed to holding elected officials accountable for transparency and for adherence to existing zoning and local ordinances. Members are actively attending county commission, city council, and school board meetings, speaking with officials, and sharing information.

Looking ahead, the Protect Effingham Alliance plans a series of community events in September, including town halls and their own open house, to further educate residents and foster engagement. The group views Project Camellia as a catalyst for addressing broader issues of overdevelopment in Effingham County and the wider region, with ambitions to tackle these concerns on a larger, more unified scale.