Effingham County officials are making another effort to sway public opinion on the proposed data center, this time by targeting the pocketbooks of property owners.
In a social media post titled ‘PROJECT ZERO JUST GOT CLOSER’ made Monday morning, the county said the proposed data center could offer “an opportunity for the largest property tax reduction in County history.”
From the post:
“Through the success of Project Camellia and collaboration between the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, Effingham County Board of Commissioners and Effingham County School District, the proposed relief includes:
- 2 mills from the ECIDA through suspension of its property tax levy
- 2 mills of School District property tax relief
- 2 mills of proposed County-wide property tax relief, which will go before the Board of Commissioners for consideration on September 1
If the County reduction is approved, these actions will provide 6 mills of combined property tax relief in 2026. Additionally, the Georgia General Assembly has approved a $500 tax credit for qualifying homestead properties.
And this is only the beginning for Project Zero. If Effingham County voters approve the LHIAG referendum in November, $13 million of the ECIDA payment is planned to be used to eliminate County homestead property taxes in 2027.
Project Camellia has given us an opportunity to provide meaningful tax relief sooner than anticipated—and take a major step toward our long-term goal of eliminating County homestead property taxes.
Public feedback on the specific post is unclear as the Effingham County Commissioners prohibit comments on social media posts.
Ongoing Opposition
Opposition to Project Camellia has centered around a combination of concerns, including government transparency, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, the project’s location, tax abatements, and the broader pace of industrial development in the county.
The handling of the project prior to the announcement has drawn the most ire, as OpenAI and local officials formally announced the project on July 22, 2026. By that point, discussions surrounding the project had been underway for months, if not longer, and the majority of negotiations had been finalized without public notice, much less public input.
County officials have disputed suggestions that Commissioners approved of anything ‘in secret.’ Chairman Damon Rahn has said commissioners did not sign nondisclosure agreements and that the county itself has no agreement with OpenAI, as the majority of the work went through the Industrial Develoipment Authority. According to Rahn, commissioners were initially asked about infrastructure capacity without being told the identity of the prospective company.
Commissioners Roger Burdette and Jamie DeLoach, however, were among those who appeared on the Project Camellia website endorsing the project as of the day of the announcement. Burdette also acknowledged he was among those who traveled to visit a data center, but has declined to share the specifics regarding expenditures and campaign donations.
While, county officials have stressed that Project Camellia still must undergo additional reviews, permitting and regulatory processes before construction and operation, the county continues to move as if the project has already been 100% approved.
Supporters say the $20 billion investment will create hundreds of permanent jobs, expand the tax base, provide opportunities for contractors and suppliers, generate additional revenue for schools and county services, and potentially help reduce property taxes.
Some have also questioned how many of the permanent jobs will ultimately go to existing Effingham County residents and whether the number of long-term jobs is substantial enough relative to the enormous capital investment and physical footprint of the campus.
Upcoming Meeting
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners scheduled a dedicated Project Camellia work session for Saturday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Effingham Administration Complex*. County officials say the meeting will address the history of the project and site, mitigation measures, anticipated community benefits and public questions, while also providing an opportunity for residents to speak.
*The Effingham County Administrative Complex is located at 804 S. Laurel St. in Springfield, Georgia.
