Effingham County, Ga. (WTOC) - OpenAI’s planned $20 billion data center, known as Project Camellia, has cleared initial hurdles through the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), but local leaders stress a rigorous municipal and state review process remains before construction. County Commission Chairman Damon Rahn explained the IDA, an independent constitutional body, handles early economic negotiations and can sign non-disclosure agreements, citing examples like publicly traded companies where announcements could affect the stock market. According to a county process summary, the legal roadmap includes zoning verifications, a state-level Development of Regional Impact review for traffic and infrastructure, and a required water protection agreement mandating that OpenAI’s closed-loop cooling systems draw only from surface rivers, not underground wells or the Floridan aquifer. Developers must also submit land disturbance applications, undergo site plan reviews for vegetative buffers and wetlands, and pass building code audits, fire safety inspections, and construction checks before a final Certificate of Occupancy. County leaders say the project will bring an estimated $37 million a year to the local school district and help the county eventually eliminate homestead property taxes, saving the average homeowner approximately $1,000.00 annually. Effingham County is encouraging residents to stay informed via the county government website or Facebook page.