Georgia lawmakers clash over OpenAI data center’s tax benefits and community costs

Debate over OpenAI's 1,400-acre, 3.2-gigawatt Project Camilla in Effingham County has split Georgia officials. County leaders point to a payment-in-lieu-of-taxs arrangement that would provide $2.5 million to the county and $3.5 million to schools in 2027, climbing to $27 million and $39 million by 2032, plus a bridge payment that could shave roughly $1,300 off a homeowner's property tax bill. The Georgia Public Service Commission has prohibited the company from passing electricity costs to consumers, and OpenAI plans a closed-loop water system to avoid using groundwater.

Nonetheless, residents and senators, including Raphael Warnock, fear hidden future charges and have urged a statewide moratorium on data centers. Senator Mike Collins argues the facilities are needed for AI competition but must not damage local infrastructure, while gubernatorial hopefuls Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson call for local consent and strict environmental standards. The discussion followed a four-hour public meeting where community members expressed skepticism about the promised benefits.