Great Lakes Wire

Michigan has been chosen as the site for a major new project by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital. The multi-billion-dollar Stargate facility will be the largest single investment in Michigan’s history, according to state officials. The project is expected to generate more than 2,500 union construction jobs, over 450 permanent high-skill positions on-site, and an additional 1,500 jobs across the county.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the news on Thursday. She said, “Today, we won the largest economic project in Michigan history. This transformational new Stargate OpenAI facility, built by Oracle and Related Digital, will create 2,500 good-paying union construction jobs, more than 450 permanent high-skill, high-paying jobs on site, and 1,500 more in the community while helping us lead the future of advanced manufacturing and technology.”

She continued: “I’m grateful to these cutting-edge companies for betting on Michigan, building on our work to compete for and win big projects in next-generation industries from cars and clean energy to semiconductors and batteries.”

“We will continue working together at the state level to win more projects so we can create even more good-paying, local jobs for Michiganders and grow our economy,” Whitmer said. “This investment from Oracle and Related Digital sends a simple message to anyone who wants to build the future—you can build it in Michigan.”

The planned facility will be one of the most advanced artificial intelligence infrastructure sites in the United States. It is designed with efficient use of land, water, and power in mind. Project leaders say that no additional power generation will be required for operations. The site uses a closed loop water system that does not draw extra water from the Great Lakes and preserves over 700 acres of open space for farmland, wetlands, or forest.

A traffic study conducted by MDOT gave the project an ‘A’ rating for minimal impact on local traffic. In response to requests from Saline Township Board officials, Related Digital plans an additional $14 million investment toward local fire departments, a community fund, and farmland preservation.

Michigan was selected due to its strong workforce capable of both constructing and operating such a facility. Bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Whitmer helped lower costs for building high-tech AI infrastructure. Proximity to major universities like University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University also played a role by providing access to local talent pools.