Building AI Infrastructure Together with the Effingham County Community

Project Camellia is a long-term data center project that OpenAI is designing and developing in Effingham County, Georgia. Under a contract with Georgia Power, it will receive 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of power supplied in phases from 2028 to 2032.

Key commitments to the community include the following.

• No electricity rate increases: OpenAI will bear the full cost of infrastructure and power, with no costs passed on to existing residents.
• Minimal water use: A closed-loop cooling system will be adopted, operating without continuous water withdrawal or discharge.
• $80 million in community benefits: Investment in local priorities such as schools, public safety, healthcare, job training, and housing.
• Up to $71 million in Codex credits: $100 in Codex credits per person for students at Georgia's colleges, community colleges, and technical schools.
• Independent audits: Annual public audits to verify implementation.

The project site is located within the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, an existing designated industrial area, and is expected to create thousands of construction and permanent jobs, with priority participation for local contractors. OpenAI held a resident public hearing on July 23 and plans to draft a Georgia Community Compact that reflects community input.