AI project touted as 'Largest taxpayer in Effingham County history'

OpenAI is facing significant local opposition to its proposed $20 billion data center, "Project Camellia," in Rincon, Effingham County, Georgia. Hundreds of residents protested an open house hosted by OpenAI and local officials, expressing concerns about a lack of public input, noise pollution, light pollution, and potential strain on water and electricity resources. The project, selected for the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, is projected to create 1,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.

Effingham County Manager Tim Callanan stated that the property is already zoned for heavy industrial use, and data centers are a permitted use, limiting the Board of Commissioners' role to site plan compliance rather than the property's intended use. Brandt Herndon, CEO of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, noted the IDA board approved an incentives package including a 50% property tax abatement for 15 years, anticipating OpenAI to become the largest taxpayer in county history.

OpenAI representatives, including Aaron McLear from the communications team, addressed concerns, explaining the facility would use a closed-loop water system and that Georgia Public Service Commission regulations prevent electricity costs from being passed to taxpayers. The fully operational campus is projected to require up to 3.2 gigawatts of power and use about 30,000 gallons of water per day.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff has also raised concerns about AI data centers' impact on rising power bills in Georgia and nationwide, investigating whether existing commitments from technology companies are sufficient to protect residents from higher utility costs. Protesters like David Ericsson and Rita Elliott voiced fears about the project's regional and environmental impacts, while Democratic candidate Amanda Hollowell criticized the project as "unchecked development."