Michigan’s Largest Data Center Project: Stephen Ross, Oracle, and OpenAI Transform Saline Township

Stephen Ross, Oracle, and OpenAI Join Forces for Michigan’s Mega Data Center

In the rolling farmland just outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, a transformation is quietly taking shape. Saline Township, home to fewer than 3,000 residents and traditionally known for its agricultural roots, is about to become the epicenter of one of the largest economic undertakings in the state’s history. The story begins with an ambitious partnership: Stephen Ross’ Related Digital, working alongside tech titans Oracle and OpenAI, is preparing to break ground on a sprawling, 250-acre hyperscale data center campus.

This is not just another construction project. It’s a strategic move designed to catapult Michigan into the global spotlight for artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies and chairman of Related Digital, describes it as a “multi-billion-dollar investment.” For Michigan, the stakes are high: maintaining national competitiveness, attracting tech talent, and diversifying its economic base.

Legal Battles and Local Resistance: Navigating the Roadblocks

Large-scale change rarely comes without friction, and this project is no exception. Early on, Related Digital faced resistance from Saline Township’s local government, which hesitated to approve the necessary rezoning. Legal action loomed, tensions mounted, and the future of the data center seemed uncertain. After months of back-and-forth, the township board relented, voting to allow the proposal to proceed—averting a lengthy court battle and opening the door for the project’s next phase.

The stakes were clear to everyone involved. Beyond the immediate economic promise, the legal tussle highlighted deeper anxieties within the community: How would such a massive development reshape their way of life? Would the benefits outweigh the costs?

Economic Impact: Jobs, Investment, and Community Transformation

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called the initiative “the largest economic project in Michigan history.” The numbers support her claim: projections include 2,500 construction jobs, more than 450 permanent high-skill positions, and an estimated 1,500 additional jobs indirectly created in the surrounding community. For Saline Township, this means more than just new faces—it signals a fundamental shift in local services, infrastructure, and funding.

For a town with fewer than 3,000 residents, the ripple effect could be profound. Some locals view the influx of investment and jobs as a boon, promising better roads, schools, and public amenities. Others worry about the inevitable growing pains: increased traffic, rising utility costs, and a sense of lost rural identity.

Energy Demands and Environmental Concerns

Data centers are notorious for their appetite—both for energy and water. The Michigan facility is no exception. DTE Energy, the local utility provider, estimates the center will require roughly 25% more energy than the area currently uses, eventually drawing up to 1.4 gigawatts as it expands. Despite the daunting numbers, DTE officials assure that their grid can handle the load, citing excess capacity and new energy storage systems designed to stabilize supply during peak periods.

Still, environmental advocates are watching closely. Tim Minotas, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club Michigan, has voiced concerns about the project’s impact on local neighborhoods and climate. In response, developers have promised to employ closed-loop cooling systems, restricting water consumption to levels comparable with standard office buildings. State Representative Morgan Foreman, after initial skepticism, now acknowledges that with proper precautions, the project could offer more benefits than risks.

Legislation has also stepped in. Last year, Michigan enacted a law exempting data centers from certain taxes and ensuring that residential customers don’t subsidize utility costs for these large facilities. This exemption, set to last until 2028, is part of a broader strategy to lure further tech investment to the state.

Community Voices: Hopes, Fears, and a New Chapter

As plans advance, community sentiment remains mixed. Some residents are optimistic, seeing the project as a lifeline for local schools, emergency services, and infrastructure. Others, more cautious, wonder whether the benefits will be equitably distributed—or whether the township’s small-town character will be lost in the shuffle.

Feedback sessions have seen lively debate, with residents pressing for transparency and guarantees regarding environmental safeguards. The developers, for their part, stress their commitment to responsible resource management and open communication. The upcoming formal request from DTE to the Michigan Public Service Commission will be a key moment, likely to surface more details and shape public opinion further.

A Model for the Future?

What’s unfolding in Saline Township is not just a local story—it’s a microcosm of the challenges facing communities nationwide as tech infrastructure expands. The project’s scale, its blend of public and private investment, and the regulatory adjustments being made to accommodate it could set a precedent for future developments across Michigan and beyond.

As the groundwork is laid and the community adapts to a new reality, the spotlight is on Saline Township to see how it balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and local character.

In a landscape where technological progress often collides with local tradition, the Saline Township data center project reveals the complexities behind “growth.” The partnership between Stephen Ross, Oracle, and OpenAI is a bet on Michigan’s future—a calculated risk that will test how a small community can adapt, innovate, and ultimately redefine itself in the digital age. The outcome will depend not only on dollars and megawatts, but on the willingness of all parties to collaborate and prioritize shared benefits over short-term gains.