Residents Furious After Their Town Board Rejected an OpenAI Data Center, But a Billionaire Developer Forced It Through Anyway

Saline Township, Michigan, saw its plans to reject a massive AI data center overturned after legal pressure from the developer, Related Digital. The township board and planning commission unanimously voted against rezoning 575 acres of farmland for the 21 million square foot facility in September, aligning with the wishes of its 2,883 residents. However, Related Digital, a subsidiary of billionaire Steven Roth’s real estate conglomerate, filed a lawsuit two days later, accusing the township of exclusionary zoning practices. The legal threat left Saline Township with few options. A prolonged court battle risked draining the township’s finances, and even if they won, Related Digital could have bypassed local zoning laws by partnering with the University of Michigan. Facing these challenges, the township settled and approved the project in October. The data center will primarily serve as a lease for Sam Altman’s OpenAI and Larry Ellison’s Oracle, part of Donald Trump’s $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative, Stargate. Residents expressed frustration over the process, with Kathryn Haushalter, a local mother, stating that the situation felt like playing by different rules. Fred Lucas, the township’s attorney, admitted that no board member wanted the data center but saw no viable alternatives. The case highlights a broader trend where AI infrastructure is imposed on communities by tech billionaires and political allies, often overriding local opposition. The project’s approval underscores the tension between economic development and community concerns. Environmental and social impacts, such as increased energy use and strain on local services, have raised alarms among residents. Despite these worries, the township’s limited legal and financial resources left little room for resistance, illustrating how corporate influence can outweigh democratic local decision-making. The data center’s construction will proceed despite widespread local opposition, marking another example of how AI-related developments are rapidly reshaping landscapes without full community consent. The situation in Saline Township reflects a growing divide between the push for technological expansion and the rights of local communities to shape their own futures.