OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank have confirmed the addition of five new data center sites in the United States as part of the Stargate project.
Announced earlier this year, the initiative aims to build 10 gigawatts of AI infrastructure backed by $500 billion in capital.
With the latest expansion, total planned capacity is approaching 7 gigawatts, supported by more than $400 billion in financial commitments.
The new facilities will be located in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and a soon-to-be-announced Midwestern state. These developments build on existing work in Abilene, Texas, and signal clear progress toward meeting the project’s original targets ahead of schedule.
The data centers are expected to provide substantial new compute resources and contribute to the broader effort to support AI deployment at scale.
Why It Matters: As AI systems grow in complexity, the need for reliable and high-capacity infrastructure increases. Projects like Stargate determine how and where future computing power will be concentrated. The latest expansion also reflects how strategic infrastructure development is shaping investment, employment, and energy decisions in key regions.
- Five New U.S. Sites Expand National Capacity: The new data centers are planned for Shackelford County in Texas, Doña Ana County in New Mexico, Lordstown in Ohio, Milam County in Texas, and an unnamed location in the Midwest. These sites were selected from over 300 proposals submitted across more than 30 states earlier this year. The selection process prioritized energy access, build-readiness, and long-term viability.
- Over $400 Billion in Active Commitments: The project’s funding total has reached $400 billion, with the remaining $100 billion expected to be secured by the end of 2025. Oracle and SoftBank are providing financing and infrastructure support, with Oracle managing three sites and SoftBank leading development in Ohio and Milam County. OpenAI will coordinate construction and operations.
- Strong Focus on Regional Employment: Together, the five new sites are expected to create more than 25,000 direct jobs. Additional employment will follow across construction, energy, and support industries. Each site will also drive new demand for regional services and long-term maintenance roles.
- Early Deployment Already Underway: The Stargate facility in Abilene, Texas, is operational and running training workloads using new NVIDIA hardware. This early activity is helping OpenAI test and validate infrastructure as new sites come online. Oracle has begun delivering compute units to meet early-stage needs at the Abilene campus.
- Project Extends Beyond the U.S.: While the current announcement focuses on domestic development, Stargate also includes international components. A facility in the United Arab Emirates is being planned in partnership with Oracle, SoftBank, G42, and others.
OpenAI to Join Tech Giants in Building 5 New Data Centers in U.S. – The New York Times
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