Building the infrastructure for the Intelligence Age in Michigan

OpenAI has broken ground on The Barn, a 1GW data center campus in Saline, Michigan, developed in partnership with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, local leaders, and companies like Oracle and Related Digital. This project underscores a commitment to community benefits and sustainable development.

A core principle of the project is that local residents will not bear infrastructure costs; these will be covered by the project itself to protect ratepayers. The Barn will utilize a closed-loop cooling system, using minimal water comparable to a typical office building, thereby protecting local water resources.

The project is expected to generate over 2,500 union construction jobs, 450 permanent onsite jobs, and thousands more across the county, catalyzing a new era of reindustrialization rooted in skilled labor. OpenAI, with partners, is investing $10 million in the Saline Recreation Center and projects $1 billion in tax revenue over the lease term to support local schools and services.

To foster AI literacy, OpenAI will provide up to $45 million in Codex credits to over 400,000 eligible Michigan college and trade school students for the 2026–2027 academic year. This initiative, in collaboration with Michigan’s Department of Labor, aims to equip students with critical AI skills for the evolving economy.

This infrastructure buildout reflects OpenAI’s broader commitment to ensuring that communities and labor share in the opportunities created by advanced AI. It aligns with Governor Whitmer's strategy to provide education and tools for good jobs, positioning Michigan at the forefront of the intelligence age.