The new hub announced by OpenAI, Oracle, and Vantage Data Centers, will include four hyperscale facilities
In sum – what to know:
$15B+ AI data hub for Wisconsin – OpenAI, Oracle, and Vantage will build data center campus near Milwaukee with nearly 1GW of computing capacity, boosting regional jobs and investment.
Sustainability at core of design – The project includes 100% zero-emission energy, water-positive systems, and biodiversity protection across 672 acres.
4.5GW total Stargate capacity – The site forms part of a broader U.S. expansion, adding to OpenAI’s nationwide network of AI-ready data infrastructure.
OpenAI, Oracle, and Vantage Data Centers have announced plans to build a major AI data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin, as part of the OpenAI’s Stargate initiative.
In a release, Vantage Data Centers said the $15 billion-plus development, known as Lighthouse, will include four hyperscale facilities providing nearly one gigawatt of AI computing capacity.
Construction is set to begin soon and is expected to conclude in 2028. The project will generate more than 4,000 skilled construction jobs and create over 1,000 long-term roles once operational, the company added.
For the project, Vantage will help develop new renewable energy capacity in Wisconsin, including solar, wind, and battery storage. According to the company, 70% of this capacity will power the Lighthouse campus, while 30% will serve other state consumers.
Also, a closed-loop liquid cooling system will minimize water use, complemented by local restoration initiatives to replenish more water than the facility consumes.
Vantage also noted that the investment will also deliver long-term regional benefits, including a projected $2.7 billion contribution to local GDP, infrastructure upgrades worth $175 million, and improvements to water, wastewater, and power systems.
“Expanding Stargate to Wisconsin is another major step toward building the infrastructure that will help ensure everyone can benefit from AI,” said Peter Hoeschele, vice president of industrial compute at OpenAI. “This project will create good jobs, advance zero-emission energy and boost the local economy — all while expanding capacity without raising rates for local consumers.”
OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank had recently announced five new U.S. data center sites under the Stargate initiative.
OpenAI said that this expansion brings Stargate’s total planned capacity to almost 7GW, with more than $400 billion in investment already committed — placing the initiative on track to reach its $500 billion, 10GW target by the end of 2025, ahead of schedule.
Three of the new facilities are being developed through OpenAI’s partnership with Oracle: in Shackelford County, Texas; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; and a Midwest location yet to be confirmed. Together with an expansion near the flagship Abilene, Texas site, these projects add 5.5 GW of capacity.
Two additional sites are being developed with SoftBank. One in Lordstown, Ohio, is already under construction and slated to open next year. The second, in Milam County, Texas, will be built with SB Energy, SoftBank’s renewables arm, and designed for rapid deployment with up to 1.5 GW of capacity over 18 months.
OpenAI noted that the five locations were selected from over 300 proposals across 30 states, marking the first wave of projects under Stargate. The new Stargate sites being developed by Oracle will join the flagship Stargate campus in Abilene, Texas, which is already up and running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
The Stargate program was announced at the White House earlier this year with a commitment to invest $500 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure.