OpenAI Oracle Plan $7B AI Data Center Michigan Creating 2,500 Construction Jobs

OpenAI, in partnership with Oracle and Related Digital, is developing a massive $7 billion data center complex called the Stargate project in Saline Township, Michigan, slated to begin construction in 2026. The facility will span 2.2 million square feet, create 2,500 union construction jobs, 450 permanent high-skill jobs onsite, and an additional 1,500 jobs in the local community, marking the largest economic project in Michigan's history as highlighted by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The hyperscale data center will draw about 1.4 gigawatts of power, leveraging excess transmission capacity from DTE Energy and employing a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water use, addressing environmental concerns. Despite initial local resistance and a lawsuit over rezoning farmland, the project proceeded after a settlement that includes $14 million in community investments and preservation of over 700 acres of open land. Michigan's legislative incentives, including tax breaks and protections against increased utility costs for residents, helped secure the project, which aims to bolster the state's role in the AI and advanced manufacturing sectors. However, environmental groups remain cautious about potential impacts on energy, water, and the local economy, underscoring ongoing community and ecological considerations.