Effingham County, July 23, 2026 — OpenAI will invest approximately $20 billion to build one of the nation’s largest artificial intelligence data center campuses in Effingham County, a project state and local leaders say will transform coastal Georgia into a major hub for AI infrastructure while creating thousands of jobs.
Known as Project Camellia, the 1,400-acre campus is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and approximately 1,000 permanent positions.
OpenAI plans to develop the campus in phases through 2032 under a long-term agreement with Georgia Power for up to 3.2 gigawatts of electricity.
Effingham County Commission Chairman Jeffrey C. Roach called the project “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the county.
“This investment represents a transformational moment for Effingham County,” Roach said.
“It will strengthen our economy, create high-quality jobs and provide long-term benefits for our residents while positioning our community at the forefront of the AI economy.”
County officials said the project is expected to significantly expand the local tax base and support future investments in public services and infrastructure.
OpenAI also announced an $80 million community investment package, including workforce development programs and up to **$71 million in Codex AI credits** for Georgia colleges, universities and technical schools.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s vice president of Global Affairs, said the company intends to build the facility in partnership with the local community.
“Project Camellia reflects our commitment to building the infrastructure needed to power AI while investing in the communities where we operate,” Lehane said. “We’re committed to responsible development, workforce training and ensuring local residents share in the benefits of this investment.”
OpenAI said the campus will use a **closed-loop cooling system** to reduce water consumption and that the company—not local taxpayers—will pay for necessary infrastructure improvements. The company also pledged to reduce its electricity consumption during periods of peak demand to help maintain grid reliability.
Not everyone is convinced.
Environmental groups, including the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), have urged greater scrutiny of the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers across Georgia.
“Projects of this scale require careful evaluation because of their enormous demand for electricity and the potential impacts on utility customers and the environment,” said Jennifer Whitfield, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.
“Georgia must ensure economic development does not come at the expense of affordability, clean energy goals and responsible resource management.”
Energy policy advocates have also questioned whether the rapid growth of AI infrastructure could accelerate the need for new power generation and increase long-term costs for consumers.
Despite those concerns, economic development leaders believe the project reinforces Georgia’s position as one of the nation’s premier destinations for advanced technology investment.
For Georgia’s Asian business community, the project could generate new opportunities for Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese companies involved in semiconductors, electrical equipment, robotics, industrial automation, precision manufacturing and data center supply chains.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global economy, Project Camellia positions Georgia not only as a manufacturing powerhouse but also as a critical center for the infrastructure that will power the next generation of AI innovation.
