A monumental 875-acre AI data centre, part of Donald Trump’s US$100 billion Stargate initiative, is under construction in Abilene, Texas. Spanning an area comparable to New York’s Central Park, the project signifies a major step forward in AI and digital infrastructure development in the United States.

The facility is a joint effort involving major industry players OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, with Oracle set to lease the completed facilities. Construction is being handled by Crusoe Energy Systems, Blue Owl Capital, and Primary Digital Infrastructure, while financing is backed by JPMorgan Chase and other financial partners.

The initial phase of the project will include a 200-megawatt data centre, with ambitious plans to scale up capacity to a massive 1.2 gigawatts. The development is expected to create 57 full-time positions with average annual salaries of US$57,600, contributing to the local economy.

“This groundbreaking development highlights Texas’s growing role in AI and digital infrastructure,” the statement reads, underscoring the region’s increasing prominence in technological advancements.

Abilene, already a growing hub for infrastructure projects, is poised to benefit significantly from the economic impact of the data centre. In addition to the immediate job opportunities, the project is expected to draw additional investments in supporting industries, such as energy, logistics, and construction.

The Stargate initiative, launched with the vision of establishing the United States as a global leader in AI technology and digital infrastructure, continues to gain momentum with projects like this. As a key component of this initiative, the Abilene facility will provide critical infrastructure to support AI research, development, and deployment across various sectors.

The expansion of AI-focused projects in Texas reflects the state’s appeal as a strategic location for large-scale infrastructure, thanks to its ample land, energy resources, and supportive regulatory environment. Industry experts view the Abilene project as a transformative development that will position Texas at the forefront of AI-driven innovation and technology.