DETROIT – Communities across Southeast Michigan are grappling with a surge of data center proposals, leading to growing resistance from residents concerned about environmental impacts and quality of life issues.
Data centers are massive facilities filled with computer servers that store and process digital information. Every time someone streams a video, scrolls through social media, shops online, or uses a smartphone, these facilities handle the data. With artificial intelligence technology expanding rapidly, the need for data storage continues to grow.
“A lot of people are unaware that they have been using data centers all along,” said Gabriel Wilson, who owns an AI company in Detroit.
From Saline Township to Allen Park, Southfield, Lyon Township, and Washington Township, local officials and residents are weighing the implications of massive data storage facilities in their neighborhoods.
The trend has already prompted some communities to hit pause on new developments.
The city of Northville recently approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers, following Howell Township’s similar action last November.
However, state law prevents local governments from completely banning these facilities, limiting their options to regulation and temporary restrictions.
In Lyon Township, residents are challenging a proposed 1.8-million-square-foot development that would include six buildings and a utility substation.
“We are very concerned about the water, the power, and the environment that it’s going to create because it will create noise 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Larry Papp, a Lyon Township resident.
The surge in data center proposals comes as Michigan attempts to position itself as attractive to tech infrastructure. Last April, the state implemented tax exemptions on data center construction and equipment purchases.
“Our role as the state of Michigan is just to have a business environment that allows those conversations to happen, but this is really going to be driven at the local level,” said Michelle Grinnell, chief communications and attraction officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Dan Diorio, vice president of state policy of the Data Center Coalition, said Michigan is quickly becoming a growing data center market.
“The data center industry provides significant benefits to Michigan communities where data centers operate. Data centers create high-wage jobs, provide substantial economic investment, and generate important local and state tax revenue that helps fund schools, transportation, public safety, and other community priorities,” he said.
Currently, Michigan is home to 61 data centers, according to datacentermap.com.
Environmental advocates are calling for more protective measures.
“What we need to do is make sure that we have regulations to protect our water, to protect air quality, to protect climate goals,” said Amanda Roberts, of the Michigan Climate Action Network. “We need to make sure these are done as safely as possible if they need to be done, but also that there’s buy-in from the community.”
While acknowledging the necessity of these facilities, Wilson suggests they may need stronger regulations.
“We are embarking upon an era that none of us have experienced before,” Wilson said. “However, these data centers are necessary so as long as it’s not slowing down innovation.”
What happens when data centers come to town?
Here’s more information about data centers and their impacts.