Artificial intelligence giant OpenAI is scouting locations across 15 US states, including Oregon, as it prepares to build a network of huge data centers to power its technology. The lead site will be in Texas, but the company plans to expand to other locations.
After putting out a request for proposals, OpenAI has been visiting potential sites in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Business Oregon’s economic development agency said it had not submitted a proposal for the Stargate project, which aims to accelerate AI development.
The $100 billion project, backed by Oracle and Softbank, also plans to invest up to $500 billion in large-scale data centers and energy generation. President Donald Trump has touted the project as a “resounding declaration of confidence in America’s potential.”
However, Elon Musk’s social networking site X has questioned the value of the investments. Big tech companies receive over $200 million in tax breaks annually for their Oregon operations, which are driving increased power usage and straining the regional power grid.
OpenAI is exploring locations with “proximity to necessary infrastructure including power and water.” The company’s vice president of global affairs, Chris Lehane, confirmed that several states have reached out about welcoming additional data centers.
Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2025/02/openai-visits-oregon-while-scouting-data-center-sites.html