Stargate Project: What It Means for Trades Workers in Michigan

Stargate is the name for a joint venture between OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and Microsoft to build a nationwide network of AI data center campuses. The project was announced publicly in early 2025 with a commitment of $500 billion in AI infrastructure investment over four years — the largest single infrastructure commitment in modern American history.

The flagship project announced for Michigan is a large-scale AI data center campus in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, approximately 30 miles west of Detroit. The site has been chosen for its access to power infrastructure, available land, and proximity to the existing technology ecosystem in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area.

The scale of what is being built is significant. AI training campuses at this level typically range from 500 megawatts to 1 gigawatt of IT load capacity. To put that in perspective: a 500 MW campus requires roughly 700–900 MW of total power draw (accounting for cooling and facility overhead) — more electricity than the entire city of Flint uses.

A project of this scale, being built on an accelerated timeline driven by AI compute demand, will require thousands of tradespeople across multiple years of active construction.

Electrical work alone on a 500 MW data center campus can employ 400–800 IBEW inside-wiremen simultaneously during peak construction phases. Add pipefitters, HVAC mechanics, ironworkers, concrete workers, sheet metal workers, and low-voltage cable crews, and the total construction workforce on an active large campus approaches 1,500–2,500 workers at peak.

For Michigan, which has a strong union trades tradition but has seen significant manufacturing decline, Stargate represents a generational construction opportunity — multiple years of sustained demand for skilled tradespeople within the state.

IBEW Local 252 covers Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw County — exactly where the Stargate campus is being built. Local 252 will be the primary IBEW local dispatching electricians to the project for inside-wireman work. Journeyman inside-wireman scale through Local 252 runs approximately $46–$52/hr plus the full IBEW benefits package.

Mechanical work (pipefitting, HVAC) will fall under UA (United Association) plumbers and pipefitters locals in the area. The Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 190 (Ann Arbor) and surrounding UA locals will be dispatching pipefitters and HVAC mechanics.

The Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) and Ironworkers locals will also be active on the structural and mechanical phases. Local 80 (sheet metal, Detroit area) and IABSW Local 25 (ironworkers) are likely to be involved.

For out-of-state IBEW members who want to work the project: IBEW reciprocity allows journeymen from other locals to work in Local 252's jurisdiction. Contact Local 252 directly about working in their jurisdiction, and make sure your dues are current and your book is in good standing.

Large hyperscale campuses are built in phases rather than all at once. The typical pattern: civil and site work (grading, underground utilities, foundations) starts first. Then structural steel. Then roofing, enclosure, and exterior. Then the mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) rough-in. Then finish work, equipment installation, and commissioning.

Each phase has peak labor needs. MEP rough-in is typically the highest-headcount phase — electricians, pipefitters, and HVAC workers are all active simultaneously. For a project the size of Stargate's Michigan campus, this peak phase can last 12–18 months.

Construction on large campus projects like this is also phased by building — Building 1 may be in commissioning while Buildings 2 and 3 are still in MEP rough-in, keeping the total workforce sustained over a longer period.

Based on public announcements and typical large-campus construction timelines, Michigan Stargate construction is expected to be active through 2027–2028, with some buildings potentially commissioning earlier depending on supply chain and permitting.

IBEW inside-wiremen (electrical): The highest-demand single trade on any DC build. Local 252 will need to supplement with out-of-area members. If you hold an IBEW card anywhere, staying current and reaching out to Local 252 now is the move.

Pipefitters (UA): Chilled water and condenser water piping on a 500 MW campus is an enormous scope. Local 190 and surrounding UA locals will be busy for years.

Low-voltage cable installers and structured cabling technicians: Every server rack needs its fiber and copper connections. Cable crews are hired faster than licensed trades and are an accessible entry point for workers without a journeyman license.

Commissioning agents and specialists: As each building completes construction, it goes through a thorough commissioning process. CxAs who want to work Michigan projects should start building relationships with commissioning contractors (Cx Associates, Heery International, EMG) and data center GCs (Holder, Mortenson, Turner) who will be managing the project.

Safety officers and site safety staff: Large projects are required to have active safety oversight. OSHA 30 plus data center site experience qualifies you for site safety roles at $65K–$90K.

The groundwork for landing work on a project like Stargate is laid before the project even starts. General contractors and major subcontractors are selected 6–12 months before construction begins. Their workforce needs are identified before they start advertising individual job openings.

Steps to take now: Get or keep your OSHA 10 (minimum) or OSHA 30 (better) current. If you are in IBEW, make sure your book is active and in good standing with Local 252 or a home local that has reciprocity. If you are non-union, apply to national contractors (Rosendin, Holder, Turner, M.C. Dean) who have data center portfolios and will be bidding the work.

Search for Stargate-related job postings on LinkedIn and Indeed with keywords "Ypsilanti data center," "Washtenaw County data center," and contractor names. Local 252 members should monitor dispatch bulletins closely as the project ramps.

The Stargate Michigan project represents the kind of generational opportunity that does not come to any region very often. For Michigan tradespeople, the time to prepare is now.