OpenAI Breaks Ground on Massive 1GW Michigan Data Center, Promising Thousands of Jobs and $1 Billion in Tax Revenue

OpenAI breaks ground on 'The Barn,' a massive 1GW data center campus in Saline, Michigan, promising 2,500+ union construction jobs, 450 permanent positions, $1 billion in tax revenue, and $45 million in AI credits for Michigan students, with key protections ensuring no electricity cost increases for local residents.

• OpenAI breaks ground on 'The Barn,' a 1GW data center campus in Saline, Michigan, developed in partnership with Oracle, Related Digital, and Walbridge, expected to generate over 2,500 union construction jobs and 450 permanent onsite positions.
• Key community protections are in place, including no electricity cost increases for local ratepayers, a closed-loop water cooling system, a $10 million investment in the Saline Recreation Center, and a projected $1 billion in tax revenue over the lease term.
• OpenAI is making up to $45 million in Codex credits available to over 400,000 eligible Michigan college and trade school students for the 2026–2027 academic year, while also partnering with the state on AI literacy and workforce training programs.