The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) announced on June 16 that the PORTS Technology Campus in Pike County, Ohio, has secured FAST-41 coverage, a major federal milestone that is expected to accelerate permitting for the $67.2 billion artificial intelligence data center, power generation, and grid infrastructure project.
The designation makes PORTS the first project listed under FAST-41’s high-performance computing, advanced computer hardware and software sector. The project stems from a public-private partnership announced earlier this year involving the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), SoftBank Group, SB Energy, and AEP Ohio.
Because the campus is already under construction (having broken ground on Phase 1), this status functions as a protective operational shield rather than just a pre-construction checklist.
Receiving FAST-41 status means the federal government has designated this project as a highly critical infrastructure priority, forcing all involved federal agencies to synchronize their timelines and eliminate the regulatory red tape that typically stalls large-scale developments
Campus size
The PORTS Technology Campus occupies approximately 2,700 acres of private land adjacent to the DOE Portsmouth Site in Piketon, Ohio. Developers are redeveloping portions of DOE land alongside nearby private property to create a large-scale AI technology campus with dedicated power generation and modern transmission infrastructure.
“I am thrilled to welcome the PORTS Technology Campus to FAST-41 coverage,” said Emily Domenech, Executive Director of the Permitting Council. “This collaborative project will advance President Trump’s goal to establish American dominance in artificial intelligence and technology while growing the capacity of our electric grid. I look forward to ensuring this project moves efficiently and transparently through the federal permitting process.”
At full buildout, the campus will house a 10-gigawatt (GW) AI data center complex and supporting energy infrastructure. The development will support advanced artificial intelligence applications and drive research in fields such as fusion energy, quantum computing, and national defense technologies.
Cost of PORTS Technology Campus
The PORTS Technology Campus carries an estimated investment of $67.2 billion. SoftBank Group will fund and operate the AI data center campus, investing more than $30 billion in the development. A $33 billion natural gas power generation system with a planned capacity of 9.2 GW will support the campus. The U.S. Government will own the generation facilities, while the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement will provide part of the project’s funding.
In addition, SB Energy will invest $4.2 billion through AEP Ohio to construct new 765-kilovolt high-voltage transmission lines and associated grid infrastructure designed to power the campus and improve long-term regional electricity reliability.
“For decades, the Piketon area has had the land resources, skilled Buckeye workers, and economic potential to contribute significantly to both our local and national economies,” said Congressman Dave Taylor of Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District. “I am glad to see the $33 billion investment in this area move forward, and I want to thank the Federal Permitting Council and the Trump Administration for seeing the importance and potential of Southern Ohio.”
Development phases
The project will be developed in phases. The first phase consists of an 800-megawatt AI data center located at the historic Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion site in Piketon. Following a ceremonial groundbreaking on March 20, 2026, initial site preparation and foundational infrastructure for Phase 1 are underway.
Jobs
Project developers estimate the campus will create approximately 35,000 construction jobs and 2,500 long-term operating jobs, making it one of the largest economic development initiatives ever announced for southern Ohio.
The development extends beyond computing infrastructure. Plans include multiple data center buildings, natural gas power plants, substations, administrative buildings, overhead and underground power lines, access roads, laydown yards, and parking facilities.
SB Energy has stated that Ohio ratepayers will not bear the cost of the new transmission and grid infrastructure. The company says it will fund 100% of the cost of grid upgrades and new power transmission facilities associated with the project, while also improving reliability across the region.
The company has also committed $40 million through a Community Benefits Agreement that will support local initiatives in partnership with organizations across Pike County and surrounding communities.
With FAST-41 coverage now in place and Phase 1 already underway, the PORTS Technology Campus continues to move forward as one of the largest integrated AI, energy, and transmission infrastructure projects in the United States.
Similar behind-the-meter power strategies are also emerging in other large-scale AI developments, including a Texas-based high-performance computing campus developed by Circe Energy, where on-site natural gas generation and microgrid systems are being deployed to reduce reliance on the traditional grid.
PORTS Technology Campus Factsheet
Project Name: PORTS Technology Campus
Location: Piketon, Pike County, Ohio
Project Type: Artificial Intelligence Data Center, Power Generation, and Grid Infrastructure Project
Groundbreaking: March 20, 2026
Latest Development: On June 16, 2026, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council granted FAST-41 coverage to the project. Making it the first FAST-41 project in the high-performance computing, advanced computer hardware and software sector.
Total Estimated Investment: $67.2 billion
AI Data Center Campus Investment: More than $30 billion, funded and operated by SoftBank Group.
AI Data Center Capacity: 10 GW
Natural Gas Power Generation Investment: $33 billion
Power Generation Capacity: 9.2 GW of natural gas generation.
Power Generation Ownership: The U.S. Government will own the generation facilities, while funding comes in part through the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement.
Grid and Transmission Investment: $4.2 billion
Transmission Infrastructure: New 765-kV high-voltage transmission lines and associated grid upgrades through AEP Ohio.
Project Site: Approximately 2,700 acres of private land adjacent to the DOE Portsmouth Site.
Construction Schedule: Development will occur in phases. The first phase is an 800 MW AI data center scheduled to begin construction in 2026.
Employment Impact: 35,000 construction jobs and 2,500 operating jobs.
Community Benefits: SB Energy has committed $40 million through a Community Benefits Agreement in collaboration with local organizations.
Ratepayer Impact: SB Energy states it will fund 100% of grid upgrades and new transmission infrastructure, with no cost passed on to Ohio ratepayers.
Project Partners: SoftBank Group, SB Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, and AEP Ohio.
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