What happened
OpenAI, along with Oracle and Related Digital, announced plans to build a large data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026 on a 250-acre site. The facility will be part of the Stargate initiative to expand AI infrastructure.
Why it matters
- The project is expected to create over 2,500 union construction jobs and more than 450 permanent jobs on site.
- It represents the largest economic investment in Michigan's history, supporting local economic growth.
- The data center will be powered entirely by DTE Energy using existing resources supplemented by new battery storage, ensuring no impact on current customers' energy supply or rates.
Key facts
- 1. The data center will cover 2.2 million square feet across three buildings, each about 550,000 square feet.
- 2. Construction is set to start in early 2026 on 250 acres in rural southeast Michigan.
- 3. The facility will have over 1 gigawatt of computing capacity and is part of a multi-billion-dollar investment.
