Site Analysis: OpenAI, Oracle, and Vantage Target Great Lakes Region for The Lighthouse Project

OpenAI, Oracle, and Vantage Data Centers are developing a $15 billion+ data center campus just north of Milwaukee. Known as “Lighthouse,” this 500-acre development in Port Washington will house 4 data centers and serve as a case study in how power strategy, sustainability, and land use are converging to shape the Midwest’s role in the data center economy.

Strategic Siting on Lake Michigan

Perched on the shore of Lake Michigan, Port Washington offers strategic advantages for the Lighthouse project with a mix of infrastructure and energy advantages—essentials for siting in today’s tight market for powered land:

• Water Efficiency: The site’s lakeside location enables advanced cooling methods like closed-loop liquid systems, reducing water waste and minimizing environmental impact.
  
  
• Energy Innovation: Lighthouse will operate on 100% matched zero-emission energy, sourced from new solar, wind, and battery installations. Roughly 70% of that power will fuel the campus and the rest will serve local Wisconsin customers.
  
  
• Power Stability: Vantage will fund the power infrastructure investment, ensuring rate stability for surrounding customers. 

Sustainable Land Use for Hyperscale Infrastructure

With powered land in short supply, developers are rethinking how large-scale infrastructure gets built. Of the 672 total acres, 500 will be developed, while the rest will be managed to deliver long-term land value.

That includes:

• Preserving over 2,000 native trees.
  
  
• Wetland restoration.
  
  
• Sound-mitigating berms to buffer the site and not disrupt biodiversity or locals.

Vantage is pursuing LEED certification and targeting a biodiversity net gain, a signal that environmental stewardship is becoming a priority. This kind of land planning is emerging as a competitive edge in site selection, particularly when navigating environmental approvals and community engagement.

The Stargate Initiative Continues

Lighthouse is part of OpenAI’s broader Stargate initiative with Oracle, a multi-site expansion targeting 4.5 GW of capacity across the U.S. With nearly 1 GW planned in Wisconsin, this project plants a future for the Midwest for next-generation AI infrastructure.

Economic Impact: $2.7 Billion GDP and 4,000+ Jobs

The Lighthouse project is expected to generate:

• $2.7 billion in GDP impact for the region.
  
  
• 4,000+ construction jobs during buildout.
  
  
• 1,000+ permanent roles post-completion.
  
  
• Thousands of indirect jobs across housing, logistics, and energy.

In a market where power-ready land is increasingly hard to find, Vantage is stepping in to do more than build a campus. It's building capacity for the region. That includes:

• New water mains, sewers, and a water tower, bolstering long-term utility access.
  
  
• Upgraded wastewater treatment facilities to support both the campus and community needs.
  
  
• Dedicated transmission lines and protected energy rates for nearby customers, reducing future volatility.

This level of investment signals a shift in how developers approach site readiness. Rather than waiting for public upgrades, Vantage is underwriting the foundational infrastructure that makes sustainable, scalable growth possible—not just for the Lighthouse project, but for the surrounding land and community. In a market where suitable land is scarce and infrastructure is aging, this kind of long-term thinking is what turns a parcel into a platform for regional transformation.

A Blueprint for Sustainable AI Infrastructure

Power-ready land continues to become increasingly rare, and much of what’s available isn’t equipped to handle the scale or sustainability needs of hyperscale builds. The Lighthouse site shows what’s possible when thoughtful land use meets infrastructure innovation. 

With energy, water, and biodiversity all integrated into the siting strategy, it represents a new model for how developers can overcome aging infrastructure and turn underutilized land into innovation for billion-dollar builds.

Curious where the next hyperscale centers are landing? How about finding powered land in tight markets?

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