Michigan Governor and Tech CEOs Attend Groundbreaking for Major Data Center in Saline Township
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held for a $56 billion data center in Saline Township, Michigan, known as The Barn, featuring leaders from OpenAI, Oracle, and The Related Companies, alongside Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The project, part of the larger Stargate plan, is one of the largest AI infrastructure investments globally despite initial local opposition and a settled lawsuit over rezoning. It is expected to create 450 jobs and will consume 1.4 gigawatts of power.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined leaders from OpenAI, Oracle, and The Related Companies for a ceremonial groundbreaking of 'The Barn,' a $56 billion artificial intelligence data center in Saline Township. Slated for completion in late 2027 with operations beginning in early 2028, the project is described by Related Co. CEO Jeff Blau as one of the largest infrastructure investments in the United States. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Clay Magouyrk also spoke, touting the facility's potential impact.
The Stargate data center, spanning 700 acres, is part of a broader $500 billion Stargate initiative to build AI infrastructure across the U.S., including planned sites in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Saline Township facility is projected to create 450 jobs and will consume 1.4 gigawatts of power. While state officials and business leaders celebrate the investment, local opposition has been notable; Saline Township officials initially voted against rezoning for the project but later settled a lawsuit to allow it to proceed.
The project benefits from a state 6% sales and use tax break for data centers, a policy that some Michigan lawmakers, like Rep. Dylan Wegela, are actively seeking to repeal. Oracle's Magouyrk acknowledged the project's 'consequences,' but highlighted community benefits, including $4 million for farmland preservation, $8 million for fire services, and a $10 million donation to the Saline Recreation Center. The facility is estimated to generate $150 million annually in taxes.