Gretchen Whitmer AP File Photo

LANSING – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer submitted public comment to the Michigan Public Service Commission outlining her support for the multi-billion-dollar OpenAI Stargate project, which will be the largest business investment in Michigan’s history.

The project, developed by Oracle and Related Digital, will create more than 2,500 union construction jobs, more than 450 jobs on site, and 1,500 more across the county. The governor highlighted commitments from the companies to protect ratepayers, design a plan to respect Michigan’s water and natural resources, and follow the state’s strong environmental protection laws.

“Michigan has always been a leader in building the next big thing and the reality is that data centers are going to be a big part of America’s future,” Whitmer said in a press release on Thursday. “The question isn’t whether they will be built, but rather, can Michigan benefit from these jobs and build data centers in a smarter way while upholding our strong environmental laws to protect our precious natural resources? We have an opportunity to do both. We can set an example for the rest of the nation on how to build these facilities the right way and grow our economy at the same time.”

Project Details

The OpenAI Stargate project will be one of the most advanced AI infrastructure facilities in the U.S., especially when it comes to its efficient use of land, water, and power. The project will not require any additional power generation to operate, uses a closed-loop, air cooling system that will not require any additional water from our Great Lakes, and preserves more than 700 acres of open space that will be retained as farmland, wetland, and forest. An MDOT traffic study awarded the project an ‘A’ and found that it will have minimal effects on local traffic. Related Digital will also be investing an additional $14 million, as requested by the Saline Township Board, in local fire departments, a community investment fund, and farmland preservation trust.

Michigan was selected for the project because of the state’s strong construction and tech workforce, capable of both building and operating the facility. Another key factor was bipartisan legislation Governor Whitmer signed to lower the cost of building high-tech AI infrastructure. Additionally, proximity to two of the state’s premier universities, the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, offers a pipeline of local talent and an opportunity for young Michiganders to start their in-demand, high-paying careers in Michigan.