# The Barn is a massive $16 billion hyperscale data center under construction in Michigan. *genai · news · 2026-06-02 · M Live Michigan * ## Key points - OpenAI and Oracle are constructing a $16 billion hyperscale data center in Saline Township, Michigan. - The project advanced after a legal settlement with the township, despite initial rezoning denial and local protests. - Project leaders assert the data center will use 1.4 gigawatts without raising local electricity rates. - A $10 million investment from Related Digital will overhaul the Saline Recreation Center's facilities. SALINE TWP., MI — High-profile Big Tech leaders gathered Monday, June 1, in Saline Township to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Barn, a massive $16 billion hyperscale data center under construction for ChatGPT-creator OpenAI and cloud computing giant Oracle. Positioning the site as a cornerstone of American artificial intelligence infrastructure, project leaders highlighted the hyperscale data center’s potential to revolutionize medicine and education amid continued pushback from those who oppose the development’s rapid arrival. These are five key takeaways from the original article. 1. Industry titans view data center as site for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Clay Magouyrk characterized the project as critical for human progress. During the event, Altman expressed high expectations for the site’s capabilities, suggesting that the computational power generated there could eventually lead to a cancer cure and advance education and business. Magouyrk described AI as the most transformational technology of his lifetime and said the facility is necessary to enable advancements in health care and carbon removal. By framing the data center as a global engine for small businesses and scientific research, the executives aimed to shift the focus from the facility’s physical footprint to its potential impacts on human development. 2. Gov. Whitmer framed AI infrastructure as a vital matter of supply chain independence and national security Gov. Gretchen Whitmer championed the project as an economic driver and strategic move for Michigan. Whitmer linked the project to lessons learned during the pandemic, emphasizing Michigan cannot afford to let foreign companies control vital data or future industrial supply chains. She said bringing the entire AI supply chain “home” is essential for protecting the data of Michiganders and securing the nation’s technological edge. 3. Construction moved forward after a legal battle and amid intense local political fallout There has been significant local resistance to the development, forced forward by a lawsuit. Construction only proceeded after data center developer Related Digital and property owners settled a legal dispute with the township, following the board’s initial vote to deny necessary land rezoning. This friction has led to a fractured local government, with three township officials currently facing recall efforts and threats that prompted the resignation of township Treasurer Jennifer Zink. While project officials celebrated the start of construction, the history of protests and the ongoing political upheaval highlight a community deeply divided over the massive transformation of the local landscape and the influence of Big Tech firms. 4. Developers and officials addressed environmental and infrastructure concerns In response to local anxieties, company officials and the governor provided assurances that the data center would not negatively impact local resources or utility rates. Officials promised the facility’s 1.4 gigawatts of electricity usage will not increase costs for local DTE ratepayers, an issue often raised by critics. Project leaders also compared the data center’s water usage to that of a standard office building, suggesting the environmental impact would be minimal despite the facility’s 2.2-million-square-foot size. Mike Forman of Blackstone Real Estate emphasized that the project is being developed “responsibly.” 5. $10 million investment in local recreation center The Saline Recreation Center is receiving $10 million, Jeff Blau, chairman of development firm Related Digital and CEO of Related Companies, announced at the event. The investment is aimed at addressing long-standing maintenance issues, including a deteriorating pool deck and outdated locker rooms that currently lack private changing spaces. Recreation center director Sunshine Lambert described the funding as “absolutely tremendous,” noting that it could transform the center into a major regional destination and allow for the expansion of youth programs like summer camps. This specific contribution is part of a broader package of benefits intended for the local area. It also includes increased tax revenue for the township and additional support for local fire departments. **Companies:** Oracle, OpenAI, Related Digital, Blackstone Real Estate **Countries:** United States [Read the full story on M Live Michigan ](https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2026/06/5-takeaways-from-openai-oracle-data-center-groundbreaking-south-of-ann-arbor.html) --- Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/6102444c-9f20-4a96-ac39-bc0af3ce31bd/the-barn-is-a-massive-16-billion-hyperscale-data-center-under-construction-in-mi Summarized by Newsio from M Live Michigan . https://newsio.io/how-it-works