Summary:
1. OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital are collaborating to build a one-gigawatt data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan, as part of their Stargate initiative.
2. Construction is set to begin in early 2026 pending regulatory approval, with a focus on expanding AI infrastructure beyond coastal hubs.
3. The project aims to create thousands of jobs, prioritize energy efficiency, and utilize a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water consumption.
Article:
OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital have joined forces to embark on an ambitious project to construct a massive one-gigawatt data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan. This initiative, under their Stargate program, signifies a substantial expansion of their partnership and aims to bolster AI infrastructure in regions beyond traditional tech hubs. The construction of this cutting-edge facility is scheduled to commence in early 2026, pending regulatory green light.
The collaboration between these three companies marks a strategic milestone, with a strong emphasis on technological advancements and job creation. The Michigan data center project is poised to anchor Oracle’s growing AI-ready cloud capacity in North America while contributing to the localization of AI compute infrastructure on a national scale. Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies, expressed pride in developing this critical project exclusively for Oracle, affirming its significance in enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the global AI landscape.
OpenAI, a key player in the initiative, is deliberate in its expansion of AI infrastructure to regions with robust industrial and energy capabilities, such as Michigan. By broadening the reach of Stargate, OpenAI aims to fortify domestic supply chains, foster job growth, and enable communities to partake in the economic opportunities arising from AI advancements. Peter Hoeschele, Vice President of Industrial Compute at OpenAI, underscored the importance of this expansion for driving inclusive economic development.
For Oracle, the Michigan campus represents another stride in their quest to establish geographically distributed cloud capacity to meet the escalating demand for AI services. Mahesh Thiagarajan, executive vice president at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, highlighted Michigan’s rich legacy of innovation and industry, affirming the state’s pivotal role in facilitating Oracle’s cloud infrastructure expansion.
The Saline Township project is not only a technological marvel but also a job creation engine, expected to generate over 2,500 union jobs during construction and approximately 450 permanent on-site positions post-completion. With an additional 1,500 county-wide jobs and numerous indirect roles supporting regional supply chains, the project promises to have a significant economic impact.
In line with sustainability goals, the Michigan data center will employ an energy-efficient strategy, with DTE Energy supplying 100% of the site’s power using a combination of existing generation assets and new battery storage. The facility will also prioritize water efficiency by implementing a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water consumption, a crucial consideration as data centers expand into regions with finite water resources.
With Walbridge as the general contractor, this groundbreaking project is poised to set new benchmarks in data center construction. Brent Behrman, CEO of Related Digital, emphasized the company’s track record in delivering large-scale data centers for hyperscalers on time and on budget. Anticipating a groundbreaking ceremony in early 2026 pending approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission, the team is gearing up to embark on this transformative journey towards creating a cutting-edge AI infrastructure hub in Michigan.
