However, just down the road, cranes tower above the fences surrounding a $16 billion venture — transforming this community of 2,400 residents into a new focal point in the U.S. concerning AI data centers.
Known as “The Barn,” the Stargate data center is being developed by a consortium that includes Oracle, OpenAI, Related Digital, Blackstone, and Walbridge, and is set to cover over 250 acres.
Construction is progressing despite local residents’ concerns regarding its effects on Saline’s water supply, power grid, and rural environment.
“The majority of people aren’t in favor of such a massive development here,” stated Tammie Bruneau, a leader of the local opposition. “They prioritize protecting the farmland.”
In today’s highly polarized political climate, resistance to data centers is one of the few issues that unites voters across different ideologies. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that only a third of Americans agree with the speed of data center construction, with just 14% supporting a data center being established in their own community.
This tension is especially evident in Michigan, where at least 13 data centers are in varying stages of planning. Communities in Saline and nearby areas are fighting back.
Developers canceled a project in Washington Township after residents rallied against it, while in Augusta, petitioners successfully halted development and compelled a public rezoning vote.
As the backlash continues to grow, the debate over data centers is no longer limited to local town councils, leaving politicians nationwide scrambling for solutions.
MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS GRAPPLE WITH AI ANGER
With Michigan’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate approaching on August 4, a contest that will influence the balance of power in Washington, candidates are weighing the advantages of AI development against rising voter apprehensions.
For many Americans, opposition to data centers correlates with broader anxieties about the future of AI and corporate influence.
“It seems like big tech companies are steamrolling over the citizens,” remarked Jeff Samoray, 57, a Democrat residing in Huntington Woods outside of Detroit.
Haley Stevens, campaigning for the Democratic nomination, positions herself as a tech optimist, describing AI as “a revolutionary technology.”
During a recent debate, she connected data center development to job creation, asserting that it would place Michigan “at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing,” while urging tech companies to cover their water and utility expenses.
Stevens, who has been in the U.S. House since 2019, did not respond to a Reuters interview request.
Her progressive opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, rolled out a policy proposal last month mandating that AI firms operate as public-benefit corporations under increased government regulation.
While he refrained from calling for a nationwide moratorium on data center construction — unlike some on the left within the Democratic Party — he suggested that local moratoriums could be necessary.
“Local communities often lack the capacity to resist the pressure imposed by large corporations,” he stated in an interview. However, he emphasized that safeguards must ultimately come from the federal level.
Samoray feels that neither candidate is taking a strong enough position.
“It’s nice rhetoric, but I’m unsure if any of it will actually materialize,” he commented, describing the AI industry as “a runaway train.”
Even the Trump administration, which has emphasized swift AI development to compete with China, has recognized the shifting sentiment among voters.
As reported by Reuters on July 13, the White House is collaborating with utility companies and data center developers to create a voluntary pledge aimed at preventing taxpayers from bearing the costs of AI expansion.
Politicians from both parties are “all over the map,” commented Lisa Wozniak, president of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
‘FORCED INTO THIS POSITION’
The struggle in Saline exemplifies both the depth of public dissent and the challenges of devising effective policy solutions.
After prolonged public meetings filled with contention, the township board voted 4-1 in September to reject the rezoning for the Stargate data center. Two days later, the developers and landowners filed a lawsuit against the township.
Faced with expensive litigation, officials reached a consent judgment in October allowing construction to proceed.
This settlement included around $14 million in community benefits, comprising farmland preservation and fire services, alongside restrictions on water usage and noise. Opponents have challenged this agreement in court.
Construction commenced on June 1, with Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman present.
The project is set to generate over 2,500 union construction jobs, 1,500 jobs throughout the county, more than 450 permanent positions, and billions in tax revenue, according to the developers.
However, local opposition remains robust.
“We honestly felt it was unjust for our board to be pressured into this position,” expressed community activist Bruneau, who had previously never engaged in local politics.
She is concerned about groundwater contamination and increased electricity costs.
Bruneau noted that she is not alone in her concerns, with opposition spanning across party lines: “We’ve met individuals from the far right, the far left, and everyone in between.”
Beverly Kincaid, 56, a Republican resident near the township, mentioned that data centers will play a critical role when she votes in November.
In Saline, she remarked, “big money pushed their way around.”
A representative for data-center developer and investment firm Related Digital stated via email that the company is “dedicated to responsible development,” which includes “protecting Michigan’s water through closed-loop, air cooling systems” and preserving “750 acres of farmlands, wetlands, and woodlands.”
In a statement, an Oracle spokesperson indicated that the company will finance all necessary energy and infrastructure for the data center, “ensuring no impact on local ratepayer bills or grid reliability.”
Sandy Baruah, president of the Detroit Regional Chamber, believed critics were missing the bigger picture: “For those of us involved in efforts to grow Michigan’s economy and create more jobs, it is truly puzzling.”
Laura Dennison understands both perspectives. The 42-year-old from Royal Oak is concerned about the agrarian impact of data centers but acknowledges that researchers are also utilizing AI to gain insights into her son’s rare medical condition.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the candidate or someone affected by it,” she noted. “There are so many unknowns.”
