Records show Effingham County leaders finalized massive tax break for $20B OpenAI data center day...
Records reveal that Effingham County leaders finalized a massive $20 billion tax break deal for an OpenAI data center with its affiliate, Octans G-A, LLC, days before the project's public announcement. The newly obtained documents detail the behind-the-scenes negotiations, including non-disclosure agreements and a memorandum of understanding.
WTOC's Steven Glover reported on the detailed paper trail and signed contracts revealing that Effingham County leaders finalized a $20 billion data center deal with OpenAI and its affiliate, Octans G-A, LLC, behind closed doors. This occurred just one day before the entire project was publicly announced.
According to the records, discussions began in February, with a mutual non-disclosure agreement signed on February 2nd, allowing officials to review confidential briefings. A Memorandum of Understanding was then signed on July 21st, outlining a strict five-phase construction plan targeted for completion by the end of 2034, with the first phase starting by late 2028. County Manager Tim Callanan had previously confirmed talks, noting the land was already zoned industrial for two decades. The report promised to further expose the exact tax deals secured by the county.