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OpenAI plans massive data center facility in Georgia, development to start in 2028
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Sam Sachs , WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
ChatGPT creator OpenAI announced they would build a new project in south Georgia. Georgia Power, who is providing the power for the planned facility, said in a release that OpenAI’s new data facility will be in Effingham County, less than an hour from Savannah. Georgia Power said the project is e...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Sam Sachs, WSB-TV (ABC) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Georgia Power, who is providing the power for the planned facility, said in a release that OpenAI’s new data facility will be in Effingham County, less than an hour from Savannah.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The announcement of OpenAI's massive data center facility in Effingham County has significant implications for the broader Atlanta region. While the facility itself will be located outside of the city, the influx of thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in local investment will likely have a ripple effect on the regional economy. As Atlanta continues to grow as a hub for technology and innovation, the presence of major companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft will further solidify the city's reputation as a destination for tech talent. The community benefits package, which includes $80 million in investments and $71 million in Codex credits for local students, will also have a direct impact on Atlanta's workforce development and education initiatives. As the project moves forward, it will be important to monitor how these investments are allocated and how they address local priorities such as public safety, healthcare, and housing.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ChatGPT creator OpenAI announced they would build a new project in south Georgia. Georgia Power, who is providing the power for the planned facility, said in a release that OpenAI’s new data facility will be in Effingham County, less than an hour from Savannah. Georgia Power said the project is e...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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