LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. – A proposal to build a massive data center on more than 1,000 acres of farmland in Livingston County has sparked intense community debate, with residents set to voice their concerns at a township meeting Tuesday evening.
Update: Massive Howell Township data center plan on hold after planning commission vote
The project, reportedly backed by Meta — parent company of Facebook and Instagram — would transform agricultural land near Grand River Avenue and Flemming Road into one of the company’s latest artificial intelligence and cloud computing facilities.
Howell Township officials estimate that the development could generate between $20 million and $30 million in annual tax revenue.
However, residents are raising alarm over potential impacts on water supplies, electricity costs, noise pollution, and the rural character of the community.
“I live out in the country because I love the quiet. I love the trees. I love everything about it, and this is going to be two miles from my house,” said Vanessa North, a local resident who learned about the proposal just last week.
The meeting, originally scheduled for the Township Hall, has been moved to Howell High School due to anticipated high attendance and safety concerns.
“I own a horse farm, not even a mile up the road. I have 20 horses. If our well runs dry, we’re screwed. You can’t keep livestock with no water,” said Jen Wright, a Howell Township resident.
These concerns align with broader national trends.
Modern data centers, particularly those designed for artificial intelligence operations, can consume millions of gallons of water daily for cooling systems.
The facilities also require substantial electrical infrastructure, leading residents to worry about potential increases in utility rates.
“A lot of people are worried about their electric bills, water bills going up when the demand increases, and they have to have additional infrastructure built to then support that demand,” North said.
Township leaders, including Trustee Bob Wilson, visited similar data centers in Ohio last week.
“Aesthetically, they are ok. You don’t even know you are there. You don’t even know one is near you,” Wilson said.
However, he acknowledged the need for greater transparency about the project’s impacts.
“It could probably be a good thing for the community, but the community wants to know what’s going on,” Wilson said.
Van Gilder Farms, which owns a significant portion of the proposed site, has expressed full support for the development.
In a letter, the farm’s representatives stated, “We came to see this as more than a project. It’s about the future of our community.”