OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital have jointly announced plans to develop a data center campus exceeding one gigawatt of capacity in Saline Township, Michigan. The project is part of the Oracle and OpenAI partnership to deliver 4.5 gigawatts of new Stargate data center capacity. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026, pending approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The planned campus, referred to as “The Barn,” will occupy 250 acres and feature three single-story buildings, each measuring 550,000 square feet. The facility will be LEED certified and utilize a closed-loop cooling system to limit daily water usage to levels comparable to an office building. DTE Energy will provide 100 percent of the campus’ power using existing energy resources, augmented by a new battery storage investment funded by the project. Related Digital claims this approach avoids any impact on energy supply or rates for DTE’s current customers.
The data center is designed primarily for hyperscale cloud and artificial intelligence workloads, serving as an exclusive project for Oracle as it scales its infrastructure to meet demand driven by AI systems. According to Related Digital, the project is supported by a consortium of private investors and financial institutions. Walbridge, a Detroit-based construction firm, will act as general contractor.
The site design includes minimum setbacks of 75 feet from the road and substantial visual screening. The developers plan to preserve the site’s historic red barn as a centerpiece at the campus entrance.
On the operational side, the project is expected to create more than 2,500 union construction jobs, with at least 450 ongoing onsite roles and approximately 1,500 jobs county-wide supporting the facility.
“The Related Digital team has decades of combined experience in site acquisition and development, partnering with utility providers, and delivering data centers for leading hyperscalers on time and on budget,” said Brent Behrman, CEO of Related Digital. “We look forward to beginning construction in early 2026.”
Source: Related Digital
