Five Locations Selected Across the U.S.
The Stargate program, a multiyear infrastructure drive led by OpenAI with Oracle and SoftBank as core partners, is set to grow with the launch of five new data-center projects. The latest phase includes sites in Shackelford County, Texas; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; Milam County, Texas; Lordstown, Ohio; and an as-yet unnamed Midwestern state. These facilities are projected to raise Stargate’s planned computing capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts, advancing the broader goal of up to $500 billion in AI-related investment.
Roles of the Partner Companies
Under the plan, Oracle is tasked with building three of the new complexes, while SoftBank is collaborating on two others. The companies estimate that overall commitments tied to Stargate now approach $400 billion. Leaders from the consortium describe the initiative as vital to meeting the power and infrastructure requirements of future artificial intelligence systems, highlighting Oracle’s cloud infrastructure and SoftBank’s telecommunications and deployment expertise.
Anticipated Community and Energy Effects
Backers say the projects will bring tens of thousands of jobs across the regions involved, from short-term construction roles to long-term operational staff. Local governments are beginning to consider zoning, environmental reviews, and tax incentives linked to the sites. Energy specialists note that meeting the demand of facilities on this scale will require significant upgrades to local power networks and careful planning around water supplies, particularly in Texas and New Mexico. Proponents argue the Stargate initiative not only supports U.S. technological leadership but also promises major economic gains for participating communities.
