SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County commissioners plan to hold a special public forum in August focused entirely on Project Camellia, OpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center campus at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, while also considering a moratorium on future data center development.
Public interest in Project Camellia was evident Tuesday night, even though the data center was not on the commission's agenda. The commission chambers and a spillover room were packed to capacity as residents came hoping to hear discussion about the proposed project. Sheriff's deputies monitored the crowd, a metal detector was set up at the entrance and a handful of protesters stood outside with signs.
The meeting came amid rising tensions over the project. Some county officials have reported receiving threats and facing increased hostility as debate over Project Camellia has intensified.
OpenAI announced plans earlier this year to build Project Camellia, a $20 billion data center campus at the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub near Rincon. Since the announcement, some residents have questioned the amount of information available about the project and called for more opportunities to ask questions and hear directly from county officials.
During his comments, Chairman Damon Rahn addressed concerns circulating on social media and challenged critics to "prove me wrong" regarding claims that elected officials entered into secret deals with OpenAI.
"I challenge anybody to prove me wrong," Rahn said.
Commissioner Beth Helmly proposed setting aside a full day for a public meeting focused exclusively on Project Camellia, saying residents deserve an opportunity to hear a detailed presentation, ask questions and provide input.
"I think we need a day devoted to this," Helmly said.
Helmly said the meeting should also include discussion of a possible moratorium on additional data center projects and a review of the county's ordinances.
"I'd like to have as part of that discussion the discussion of a moratorium on further data centers at this time, as well as a discussion about relooking at some of the ordinances around it," she said.
Helmly suggested holding the meeting on a Saturday later this month so more residents could attend. She also recommended livestreaming the event.
After the meeting, Helmly said commissioners are considering Aug. 22 or Aug. 29 for the forum but will first work with county staff on the format and logistics.
"We have to work all this out before we confirm a date," Helmly said.
Rahn said commissioners want to schedule the meeting as soon as possible.
"Everybody wants to speak on it," Rahn said. "I believe that's going to be the correct forum to do it. We have to entertain and do business here (commission meeting). We have to pay bills and all that. I want to dedicate time to nothing but the data center. Period."
Commissioners also discussed finding a larger venue if needed to accommodate additional residents.
Rahn addresses concerns
Rahn then addressed some of the claims that have circulated about Project Camellia.
He said no elected county officials signed nondisclosure agreements related to the project.
"Any elected official within this panel here has signed zero NDAs," he said.
Rahn also said the county has not entered into any agreements with OpenAI.
"The county has entered into no agreements, zero agreements with OpenAI at this time," he said.
He encouraged anyone who believes county officials acted improperly to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Office of Special Investigations, the Georgia Attorney General's Office, the district attorney or the Georgia Ethics Commission.
County Manager Tim Callanan said the county's only action since the announcement involving Project Camellia has been issuing a zoning verification letter.
Callanan said the letter is a routine document available to any property owner or prospective buyer seeking confirmation that a proposed use meets county zoning requirements.
Rahn also addressed calls from some residents to remove members of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority.
He said IDA board members serve four-year terms and are appointed by the county's five commission districts and the cities of Rincon, Springfield and Guyton.
Members can only be removed under limited circumstances, including resignation, moving out of the district, serious misconduct or expiration of their terms.
"We can't just remove them because of policy disputes or disagreements," Rahn said. "It's a constitutional authority. It's its own entity."
Chamber planning panel
Commissioner Roger Burdette, whose district includes the proposed data center site, announced that the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce is organizing a separate Project Camellia panel discussion, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 26.
Burdette said the panel is expected to include representatives from OpenAI, the Industrial Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Tech, along with independent academic experts.
"We want somebody that's totally unbiased on this panel," Burdette said.
