Abilene named as launchpad for $500-billion AI project
22 January 2025
by Jonathan Andrews
Abilene, Texas, was highlighted during US President Trump’s Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure press conference as a key site for Project Stargate, a US$500-billion initiative aimed at establishing AI infrastructure across the US.
Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison (pictured second left) announced that the project’s first phase, deploying US$100 billion, will begin in Abilene.
This statement builds on the mid-sized city’s recent efforts from the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) and city leaders to position the city as a hub for AI and technology infrastructure.
“Abilene has demonstrated how collaboration and strategic planning can position a community to take on significant projects,” said Misty Mayo, President and CEO of DCOA. “Project Stargate builds on these efforts and opens new opportunities for growth.”
Project Stargate is supported by SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX. SoftBank and OpenAI serve as the financial and operational leads, respectively. Key technology partners include Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Arm.
A joint-statement from OpenAI and Softbank said: “This infrastructure will secure American leadership in AI, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and generate massive economic benefit for the entire world. This project will not only support the re-industrialisation of the United States but also provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies.”
For Abilene, the initiative could bring significant developments to the local economy. The planned AI infrastructure is expected to attract investment and talent to the area. It also aligns with ongoing efforts by local organisations to position the city as a technology hub.
Project Stargate’s larger goal includes collaboration between OpenAI, NVIDIA, Oracle, and other partners to advance AI systems and applications. This includes further work on artificial general intelligence (AGI), with the aim of delivering tools and services to benefit various industries and communities.
OpenAI and Softbank added that the buildout is currently underway, starting in Texas, and that other potential sites across the country are being evaluated as they finalise definitive agreements.
Image: X / POTUS
