Tech giants announce $7B data center, Michigan’s first hyperscale campus
Three tech giants - OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital - have announced plans to build a massive $7 billion, 1-gigawatt-plus AI data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan. The project has faced some local opposition and zoning challenges, but a recent settlement and a power deal with utility DTE Energy have paved the way for construction to begin in 2026.
Michigan is set to gain its first hyperscale data center, as tech giants OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital announce a $7 billion, 1-gigawatt-plus AI project in Saline Township. The 250-acre campus will create over 450 onsite jobs and additional spinoff jobs in Washtenaw County. The deal faced some pushback from the local township board, but a legal settlement paved the way for the announcement. Utilities DTE Energy and Consumers Energy are also in advanced negotiations for additional data center projects totaling over 5 gigawatts of power capacity. While proponents tout the economic benefits, opponents raise concerns about the facilities' impact on the energy grid, utility rates, and local communities.