LORDSTOWN - Work is underway to convert the former GM assembly plant in Lordstown into a data center equipment manufacturing site as part of the Stargate project. 

Recent documents filed with the Trumbull County Recorder's office and approved by the Ohio EPA show that its new owner, Crescent Dune LLC, is looking to "modernize existing manufacturing plant and complete expansions" within the six-million-square-foot facility.

The plant, which was purchased by Foxconn in 2022, was subsequently sold to Crescent Dune. However, Foxconn will continue to operate within the facility, alongside the Stargate partners, including Softbank, OpenAI, and Oracle. 

21 News reported the sale and plan for the facility in August. The plant was sold to Crescent Dune for $375 million.

The Ohio EPA granted a permit to the facility on September 19 for the construction site stormwater and a yard concept at the facility.

Shimizu North America LLC, of Atlanta, Georgia, was contracted in July for work improvements inside the plant, according to filings in Trumbull County. 

It is a subsidiary of Japan-based Shimizu Corporation, and according to their website, has a 200-year history in the construction industry.

The Stargate Project was first announced in late January. It was touted as the world's most advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem, which says it will create hundreds of thousands of jobs as part of what is being called ‘America's re-industrialization,’ according to the OpenAI website.

In February, CNBC reported that OpenAI was considering launching data center campuses for the Stargate project, including one in Ohio.

In June, it was reported that Foxconn—the Taiwan-based electronics giant—plans to invest approximately $500 billion into the Stargate Project across the U.S. over the next four years.

Shimizu North America LLC shared on its LinkedIn account in August, "After months of planning and negotiations, Shimizu North America is proud to kick off Foxconn’s exciting new project in Lordstown, Ohio."

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