Michigan Secures Largest Single Investment with Multi-Billion Dollar Stargate AI Data Center

Saline Township, Michigan – OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital have announced plans to construct a gigawatt-scale data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan, marking the largest single investment in the state's history. The multi-billion dollar project, part of OpenAI and Oracle's broader Stargate initiative, is set to begin construction in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. Greg Brockman, President of OpenAI, underscored the significance of the development, stating in a tweet, "> Gigawatt-scale Stargate data center is the largest single investment in Michigan history."

This massive undertaking is a critical component of OpenAI and Oracle's previously announced partnership to deliver 4.5 gigawatts of additional Stargate capacity. The Michigan site, which will span 250 acres and feature three 550,000 square-foot buildings, is designed to meet the surging demand for computing power in the artificial intelligence industry. The overall Stargate initiative now encompasses over 8 gigawatts of planned capacity and more than $450 billion in investment across various U.S. sites over the next three years.

The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Michigan, including more than 2,500 union construction jobs and an additional 450 permanent onsite jobs, with a total of 1,500 jobs county-wide to support the facility. Peter Hoeschele, OpenAI's Vice President of Industrial Compute, emphasized that the expansion will "strengthen domestic supply chains, create good jobs, and help more communities share in the economic opportunities AI is creating." Related Digital is also committing $14 million to local fire departments, a community investment fund, and farmland preservation.

Environmentally, the data center campus will feature a LEED-certified design utilizing a closed-loop cooling system, limiting daily water use to levels comparable to an office building. DTE Energy will supply 100% of the power, augmented by a new battery storage investment financed entirely by the project, ensuring no impact on existing customers' energy supply. This approach aims to balance the immense energy needs of AI infrastructure with sustainable practices.

Despite its economic promise, the project faced initial local pushback, including a lawsuit regarding rezoning, which was resolved through a settlement. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer hailed the project as "transformational," positioning the state at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and technology. The Saline Township facility, dubbed 'The Barn' due to a preserved historic red barn at its entrance, is a testament to the growing national competition to attract major AI infrastructure investments.