Michigan is about to play a big role in the next generation of artificial intelligence. OpenAI, yes, the folks behind ChatGPT, just picked Saline Township for a massive new Stargate data center. This isn’t your average computer lab. We’re talking 2.2 million square feet of high-tech space that’ll help power the future of AI, all while creating thousands of good-paying union and tech jobs right here in Michigan.
ChatGPT’s Next Big Chapter in AI
The project is part of a $450 billion national plan between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, bringing Stargate’s total to more than 8 gigawatts of capacity across the country. And Michigan’s piece of that pie is the biggest one yet.
Construction kicks off in early 2026, with about 2,500 union construction workers expected to break ground before the end of that year. Once it’s up and running, the facility will support hundreds of permanent jobs and generate even more local opportunities.
Saline Township Balances Growth and Community
Now, there’s been some back-and-forth in Saline Township. It’s a quiet, rural community, and not everyone’s thrilled about a giant tech campus moving in next door. Residents have voiced concerns about traffic, noise, and preserving farmland. But the project’s developers are working to address those worries, pledging $14 million toward community improvements and setting aside over 700 acres to remain open as farmland, wetland, and forest.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer says this is the single largest economic project in Michigan history, a milestone that shows our state is ready to lead again in engineering, innovation, and advanced manufacturing. DTE Energy will handle power for the site without straining the local grid, and the cooling system is designed to conserve water while keeping the massive operation running efficiently…