OpenAI Gives $2 Million for Effingham County's Atlas Park
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — OpenAI is giving Effingham County $2 million to help build trails at Atlas Park, a planned place for outdoor activities near Highway 80 and Sand Hill Road. This is the company's latest investment in the local community. OpenAI is also behind Project Camellia, a proposed data center in Effingham County.
OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar joined county officials at Atlas Park on Thursday to announce the grant. The money will help pay for trails as part of the park's first round of improvements. These improvements are being paid for through the county's 2022 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program.
The grant comes from OpenAI's $80 million fund for community projects. The company created the fund in connection with its proposed data center.
Later on Thursday, Friar spoke in an interview at the Mars Theatre. She was there for the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce's Future Shock: Catalyst Business Summit. She said she was impressed by the park and its potential for outdoor activities.
“It's beautiful,” she said. “I'm a big hiker by nature, so I want to go hiking out there.”
Plans for Atlas Park include walking and biking trails, pickleball courts, boat docks and areas for RV camping.
“I'm excited for just the walking and the biking and so on that can happen for local residents,” Friar said.
Investments guided by community needs
Friar said OpenAI plans to give out its $80 million in community funding over several years. She said the company does not want to choose projects on its own. Instead, it wants to ask local people what matters to them.
“I don't like to ever show up and tell people what they need,” she said. “That is a surefire way to not make friends. Instead, you show up and ask, ‘What would they like? What do they need?’”
The county said a public survey helped OpenAI decide to pay for the Atlas Park trail system.
The grant follows OpenAI's promise to provide $4.8 million to pay for breakfast and lunch for students in the Effingham County School District during the 2026-27 school year. The money is meant to help families pay less for school meals.
Friar said the number of students taking part in the school meal program has risen by nearly 50% since OpenAI began paying for it.
The company's community investments are connected to its proposed Project Camellia data center, a large planned development at Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub. The project has led to local discussions about growth and how it could affect the county.
Plans for Atlas Park
Atlas Park is being built on land that was once used for sand mining, near Highway 80 and Sand Hill Road. The long-term plan centers on a lake covering about 138 acres and includes many places for outdoor activities and community use.
The plans include trails, basketball and volleyball courts, pickleball courts, an outdoor arena, places for events, a swimming beach, camping areas, fishing and boating opportunities, and access to the Ogeechee River.
The $2 million grant will help move the trail project forward. The trails are expected to connect different parts of the park and give residents and visitors places to walk, ride bikes and exercise.
County Manager Tim Callanan said the grant will help the county make progress on the project.
“Atlas Park represents one of the most exciting recreational opportunities our county has undertaken,” Callanan said in the county's announcement. “OpenAI's commitment allows us to accelerate a key component of this project.”
Katie Comer, OpenAI's community engagement representative, said the trails will give families another place to enjoy time outside.
“This $2 million grant will help create trails where families can walk, bike and spend time together,” Comer said. “We're proud to support the county's work to make Atlas Park a place the whole community can enjoy.”
The county said it will share updates as work continues. These updates will include details about the trail system, construction progress and other planned park facilities.