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…
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