OpenAI Plans $20B Data Center in Effingham County
OpenAI plans a $20 billion data center in Effingham County, Georgia, projected to create up to 1,000 jobs and significantly boost local tax revenue. The project, named "Project Camellia," will be the company's first ground-up data center in the state, utilizing a 1,400-acre site and a 3.2-gigawatt power contract with Georgia Power. Local officials have approved an incentive package, and OpenAI is engaging with the community to address environmental and infrastructure concerns.
OpenAI has announced plans for a massive $20 billion, 1,400-acre data center campus in Effingham County, Georgia, marking the company's first ground-up data center development in the state. Dubbed "Project Camellia," the facility is expected to create up to 1,000 permanent jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue, potentially eliminating county homestead property taxes through Effingham County’s "Project Zero" initiative. Effingham County Manager Tim Callanan and School District Superintendent Yancy Ford lauded the project's potential to transform the county's financial future and benefit residents for generations.
The Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (ECIDA) Board approved an incentive package, including a 50% property tax abatement for 15 years, during its July meeting. The agreement ensures the county and school system receive more tax revenue than without the investment. Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief policy officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to earning community trust, noting a public open house scheduled to gather feedback and discuss the proposal with residents.
The decision to locate in Effingham County followed months of discussions with state officials, including Governor Brian Kemp, and Georgia Power. The facility will contract for 3.2 gigawatts of power from Georgia Power over four years, which received approval for a nearly 10-gigawatt capacity expansion from the Georgia Public Service Commission, largely to support data center demand. OpenAI has committed to paying the full cost of the necessary electrical infrastructure and designing the campus to proactively reduce power consumption during peak demand.
Addressing environmental concerns, OpenAI plans a closed-loop water system for the campus, significantly reducing water consumption to levels comparable to an office building. The company also pledged to comply with all environmental regulations and established an $80 million community investment fund, along with workforce development partnerships and educational programs. The project will be built within the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, a large industrial development already designated for such uses.