Saline Township

Related Digital is developing a state-of-the-art data center campus on 250 acres in Saline Township that will deliver more than 1 gigawatt of capacity for Oracle as part Oracle and OpenAI’s partnership. This multi-billion-dollar project represents one of the largest economic investments in Michigan’s history, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and delivering meaningful local benefits.

The project—dubbed “The Barn” in recognition of the historic red barn preserved at the site entrance—will consist of three 550,000-square-foot, single-story buildings.

FAQ

Responsible Development

Low Water Use by Design

Our project utilizes a closed-loop, air cooling technology that significantly limits water use. Once operational, daily water usage will be comparable to that of a standard office building, primarily for kitchens, restrooms, and breakrooms.

This approach ensures minimal impact on local water resources—less than if the land remained farmland.

Read Oracle's blog post to learn more about this state-of-the-art cooling technology.

The LEED-certified design data center campus has been shaped by community feedback, and is being developed with respect for the area’s agricultural heritage and rural character.

Paying Our Own way on energy

The project will be 100% powered by DTE Energy using existing resources, supplemented by new battery storage infrastructure that is fully funded by the project.

Under Michigan law, large load energy users must pay the full cost of the infrastructure they require—and this project does exactly that. There will be no shifting of costs onto Michigan families or small businesses.

In fact, by contributing its share to the fixed costs of maintaining and improving the grid, the project is expected to benefit ratepayers while strengthening Michigan’s energy system.

Land Preservation

More than 750 acres will be preserved as farmland, wetlands, and woodlands, ensuring the majority of the site remains open space. In addition, $4 million will support a Farmland Preservation Trust to protect agricultural land for generations to come.

Responsible Development

The LEED-certified design data center campus has been shaped by community feedback, and is being developed with respect for the area’s agricultural heritage and rural character.

  • Our project utilizes a closed-loop, air cooling technology that significantly limits water use. Once operational, daily water usage will be comparable to that of a standard office building, primarily for kitchens, restrooms, and breakrooms.

    This approach ensures minimal impact on local water resources—less than if the land remained farmland.

    Read Oracle's blog post to learn more about this state-of-the-art cooling technology.

  • The project will be 100% powered by DTE Energy using existing resources, supplemented by new battery storage infrastructure that is fully funded by the project.

    Under Michigan law, large load energy users must pay the full cost of the infrastructure they require—and this project does exactly that. There will be no shifting of costs onto Michigan families or small businesses.

    In fact, by contributing its share to the fixed costs of maintaining and improving the grid, the project is expected to benefit ratepayers while strengthening Michigan’s energy system.

  • More than 750 acres will be preserved as farmland, wetlands, and woodlands, ensuring the majority of the site remains open space. In addition, $4 million will support a Farmland Preservation Trust to protect agricultural land for generations to come.

Delivering Real Community Benefits

  • Significant Local Tax Revenue

    At least $1.6 million annually in tax revenue through 2039, with $8 million dedicated to Michigan school systems.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and half circle lines.

    Community Investment Fund

    $2 million to establish a Community Investment Fund, overseen by the Saline Township Board, to support local initiatives such as investments in playgrounds and parks.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and circle lines.

    Support for Fire Departments and Emergency Services

    $8 million for local fire departments and emergency services, which will go toward purchasing new equipment and fire trucks.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Job Creation

    Creating more than 2,500 union construction jobs, 450+ permanent on-site jobs, 1,500 county-wide jobs, and thousands of additional indirect jobs across Michigan and the U.S.

Our Commitment to Michigan

Michigan was built by people who worked hard, paid their share, and planned for the next generation. Related Digital’s Saline data center project reflects those values: creating good-paying local jobs, paying our own way for energy and infrastructure, protecting Michigan’s water and natural resources, and delivering local benefits.

We’re proud to partner with Oracle on a shared commitment to responsible, community-focused development. Read more about Oracle’s commitment to responsible development in their blog.

Read Why Locals Support This Project

  • “A tremendous amount of progress has already been made in addressing questions and concerns about the project. We’re encouraged by the Township taking the next step in reviewing the plans and are excited about the opportunity this project represents for the community. These conversations help ensure the development moves forward in a way that benefits everyone. Taken together, the scale of investment represents both a major fiscal opportunity and an important step in ensuring our region keeps pace with modern infrastructure needs.”

    – Phil Santer, Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff, Ann Arbor SPARK

  • “I am a retired US Army veteran and retired local business owner. My wife Marian and I have lived in Saline Township for 53 years, across the road from the proposed data center development by Related Digital. We are 100% in favor of this project moving forward. While some of our neighbors may lament the loss of agricultural land, this development is far superior to the alternatives of solar or residential, which will absolutely move forward if this proposal fails. Related Digital has engaged in good faith with our community and listened to our concerns. Any development, data center, solar or residential will bring construction traffic and noise. This proposal preserves the overwhelming majority of the acreage as open landscape that could still be farmed; solar or residential developments would not. It provides the township with financial resources and benefits to maintain our rural character and way of life for generations to come”

    – Ed Groom, Saline Township Resident of 53 years

  • “We want to be clear that regardless of the Board’s decision on the rezoning request, the four parcels of our property included in Related Digital’s proposal won’t remain farmland. We have already terminated the Farmland Development Rights Agreements on those parcels. The only outstanding question is how will this land be developed? We want to make sure it’s put to the best use for us and for the Township as a whole. We think that the proposed data center is the best future use of our property, and we believe the facts back this up.”

    – Amy Marr and John Feldkamp, Sellers of Saline Township land to Related Digital

  • “It’s critical for sustaining it for the future, for our children, for our grandchildren. To have a revenue source that allows our community to grow and fund our local police and fire departments as well.”

    – John Brannan, Saline Township Resident of 20 years

“We are excited about the opportunity this project represents for the community”

— Phil Santer, Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff, Ann Arbor SPARK

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