Oracle plans Michigan data center, secures $16 billion in funding

Oracle's proposed $16 billion data center campus in Saline Township, Michigan, has successfully secured funding, as announced by developer Related Digital. The financing package includes equity contributions from Related Digital and funds affiliated with Blackstone, alongside long-term, fixed-rate debt backed by PIMCO-managed funds and accounts, with Bloomberg News reporting PIMCO's purchase of approximately $10 billion in bonds. This project, announced in October 2025 by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital, represents a significant expansion of U.S. AI infrastructure with a planned capacity of over 1 gigawatt across 250 acres. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer previously lauded it as the "largest investment in Michigan history," and construction commenced in February. The data center is integral to Oracle's AI business growth and forms part of the larger $500 billion Stargate project involving Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank. However, the development has encountered considerable pushback from Michigan residents. Protesters in Saline, including Tammie Bruneau, have voiced concerns to Michigan Public Radio regarding the data center's potential strain on the electric grid and environmental pollution. The article also notes a broader national trend of increasing criticism against tech companies' rapid data center construction, citing a Union of Concerned Scientists study on rising electricity costs due to insufficient utility supply.