WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – OpenAI, the creator of Chat GPT, is opening a massive new data center in Michigan that state officials say will be one of the most advanced AI infrastructure facilities in the U.S.

The 2.2-million-square-foot data center will be built in early 2026 in Saline Township, a rural community in southeast Washtenaw County, the company announced Thursday, Oct. 30.

OpenAI said the facility will not need any additional power generation to operate, using a closed-loop cooling system that significantly reduces water consumption. DTE Energy will serve the data center, using existing excess transmission capacity so there won’t be any impact on local energy supply.

“Michigan has long been at the center of American engineering and manufacturing,” the company said in a news rel

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