This directory was updated on July 30, 2026.
MICHIGAN—Michiganders have made their feelings about data centers clear.
They don’t want them.
Polling has repeatedly shown that Michiganders broadly oppose the projects statewide. And that sentiment has shown up everywhere from packed township halls and legislative committees to statewide rallies and recall elections targeting local officials who’ve supported them.
Still, local governments are limited in their ability to block the facilities from moving into town. And new proposals for these projects just keep coming, backed by billions of dollars in outside capital and a state tax exemption lawmakers approved in 2024 to help lure them in.
Despite the organized opposition in several dozen communities, more than 30 AI-related projects have now surfaced across Michigan since 2024—with no signs of slowing down.
To better understand the scope of this expansion, The ‘Gander compiled and organized every known data center project currently proposed, approved, or under construction in the state.
Tracking these developments takes time and resources. If this kind of accountability journalism matters to you, consider supporting The ‘Gander.
Under construction
“Stargate” in Saline Township: South of Ann Arbor, the most ambitious AI data center in Michigan is under active construction. The $43 billion campus—a partnership between OpenAI, Oracle, and developer Related Digital—spans 700 acres and has been approved to consume up to 1.4 gigawatts of electric demand, roughly the equivalent of the electricity used by 1 million homes. The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with operations starting in early 2028. Opposition remains active, especially after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visited the site together for a groundbreaking in June. Developers have since launched a statewide PR campaign to counter growing opposition, rebranding the project as “The Barn”—a nod to an old red barn on the property they plan to preserve—and running new ads touting community benefits. Developers are also donating $10 million toward the Saline Recreation Center. In July, the township approved a controversial, 12-year, 50% tax break for the data center. Officials first tried to rein it in by capping the discount at the project’s original $4.8 billion valuation but later reversed course to remove the cap, largely for fear of being sued. Meanwhile, the township board has been in turmoil over the project. In May, Township Treasurer Jennifer Zink resigned citing death threats she received over the data center, and in June, Township Supervisor James Marion resigned amid the heated ongoing debate. Recall petitions targeting two other board members—including newly named supervisor Tom Hammond—are still circulating; organizers need 302 valid signatures per official to trigger a recall election.
Approved and moving forward
“Project Cannoli” in Van Buren Township: Google publicly confirmed in March that it is the company behind this proposed 1-gigawatt data center on roughly 282 acres of vacant land north of I-94 near Haggerty Road in Wayne County, developed by Panattoni Development Co. Once constructed, it will become the second-largest data center in the state behind Stargate. The facility will reportedly consume up to 3.6 million gallons of water daily and destroy 13 acres of wetlands. To help manage water resources, Google awarded a $250,000 grant to the Huron River Watershed Council. The township granted preliminary approval in February; a proposed substation and switching station received preliminary site plan approval in May after a contentious five-hour meeting. The full Board of Trustees then unanimously approved the project along with a lucrative property tax incentive package that will cut the facility’s projected $250 million tax bill in half over 12 years—saving Google roughly $125 million. Community opposition remains significant, with nearly 2,500 people signing a petition against the project. Residents are organizing a recall effort targeting the entire board of trustees. The project also faces a full contested-case review at the Michigan Public Service Commission, where Attorney General Dana Nessel has urged regulators to make Google cover more infrastructure costs up front, warning ratepayers could be left exposed if the project is abandoned. Before construction can begin this summer as planned, environmental regulators must also sign off on a wetland permit for the project; the public comment period closed in June and a decision is still pending.
Data campus expansions in Cass County: Las Vegas-based Hyperscale Data is expanding its data center campus in Dowagiac, finalizing a deal in June to acquire 49 additional acres that will more than double its footprint to 83 acres. City officials have said they were blindsided by the initial announcement and Mayor Patrick Bakeman has since demanded the company submit formal development plans. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has voiced opposition to the project and residents have called for a moratorium—though the City Council declined to pass one in January. In May, the company announced it was in lease negotiations with multiple potential customers and had pre-ordered equipment in anticipation of agreements it expects to finalize “in the coming weeks and months.” Separately, a federal class-action lawsuit is targeting the company over “excessive noise” at the company’s facility on Prairie Ronde St. In June, the company announced it was shifting the facility from Bitcoin mining to AI computing, and in July, the company reportedly dipped into its Bitcoin reserves to finance the project. The company also reportedly plans to use humanoid robots at the facility to replace human labor. In the meantime, local residents are banding together to put clear guardrails on future projects.
Data Center at Oakland University: Oakland University in Auburn Hills is exploring a 26-megawatt data center and “AI Institute” on the university’s P-35 parking lot, adjacent to an existing DTE substation. The project would be built by Cleveland-based developer Fairmount Properties, with shared use between the university and selected industry partners. Like the U-M/Los Alamos proposal, OU is framing the project around academic goals rather than purely commercial data center operations. The Board of Trustees voted in June to advance the project into a “due diligence” period that will examine finances, environmental impacts, and infrastructure needs. Notably, the university also shifted the proposed site from the P-35 parking lot across the street to Lot 37—farther from a nature preserve and a Native American heritage site. Officials say the roughly 15-acre facility would use a fraction of the power and land of a hyperscale center. A due-diligence phase runs this fall, with a design phase to follow in summer 2027. Construction isn’t expected until another 18-21 months after that phase concludes.
Microsoft data center in Lowell Township: Microsoft is pursuing plans for a large data center campus at Covenant Business Park in Lowell Township near I-96. The project would include five data center buildings, a utility substation, an employee office building, and additional supporting structures on roughly 237 acres near Alden Nash Avenue. The company has submitted a rezoning application, which is now under review by the Planning Commission. In May, local officials rejected a proposed moratorium on data center projects within the township—a move that prompted calls for recalls against board members who voted no. In June, a commission approved recall petitions for Supervisor Jerry Hale and two trustees; organizers need 894 valid signatures within 60 days to force a recall election. Hundreds of residents packed a June 8 Planning Commission meeting but officials didn’t take any formal action. Microsoft representatives returned for the commission’s July 13 meeting, where the back-and-forth continued without a decision. Much of the focus has shifted to a township advisory committee now drafting an ordinance that would cap data center size, water use, and energy use—and some officials have been candid that they see the rules as a way to drive Microsoft out. Officials say the ordinance will go to the full Planning Commission for review before public hearings are scheduled. The Planning Commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 10.
“Project Flex” in Lyon Township: In Oakland County, a 172-acre data center campus developed by Verrus has received conditional site plan approval from township officials with Anthropic—the AI company behind the Claude model—reported to be the intended end user. The project calls for at least six buildings totaling 1.8 million square feet. The project has drawn significant community backlash, including protests and a recall effort against the township board. Lyon Township has since enacted a moratorium on new data centers, though it does not affect Project Flex. In late May, Verrus’s attorney sent a letter warning the township that if final approval is delayed, the company will pursue legal action; no suit has been filed. Hundreds of residents packed a June 8 Planning Commission meeting but no decision was reached. On July 13, developers abruptly withdrew their site plan—but the pause was brief. Verrus has since submitted a new application, which is set to be reviewed at the next Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 24. To win over the community, the company is reportedly touting a $10 million community benefits package alongside commitments on water use, noise, lighting, and more.
Metrobloks data center in Southfield: LA-based developer Metrobloks LLC has received site plan approval from the Southfield City Council for a 100-megawatt, roughly 218,000-square-foot data center on 13 acres of vacant land near Inkster Road between 11 Mile and I-696. The $1.5 billion project is much smaller than hyperscale proposals elsewhere in Michigan. City officials voted last year to approve the site plan, though the vote was divided amid ongoing community concerns. Southfield Mayor Ken Siver has acknowledged the developer does not yet have all the financing secured and faces additional permitting steps. Construction timing is still unclear.
Proposed and under review
Data center proposal in the Upper Peninsula: In Marquette County, a group is reportedly floating a data center on roughly 1,000 acres near a former Air Force Base. So far, the effort is speculative: no permit or application has been filed and no end users have been identified.
Harbor Farmz site in Kalamazoo: Cannabis processor Harbor Farmz announced in June that it’s selling its facility at 2839 Full Circle Drive and marketing the 4-acre site as a potential data center. The pitch is loose: no developer has been named, no formal proposal has been filed, and no project has been approved. The city has stressed that any eventual buyer would need to bring a new site plan before the Planning Commission.
Microsoft data center in Gaines Township: Microsoft is continuing to expand its footprint south of Grand Rapids as it advances plans for a major data center campus. The company has already assembled about 320 acres near the intersection of Patterson Avenue and 76th Street and is now seeking to rezone another 104 acres from a separate parcel—a move that would clear the way for construction. An April 15 Planning Commission meeting drew hundreds of opponents and after more than three hours of public comment, the Commission tabled the rezoning decision with no set timeline for what comes next. Commissioners must still decide whether to forward the proposal to the full Township Board before the project can advance. Microsoft is also reportedly looking to purchase additional land in the township, while Switch is also reported to be looking to expand capacity at its existing Pyramid data center campus.
“Project Cherry Blossom” in Frenchtown Township: Houston-based developer Cloverleaf Infrastructure is considering a roughly 200-acre data center project on a former golf course near I-75 and North Dixie Highway in Monroe County’s Frenchtown Township. The proposal, known as Project Cherry Blossom, is in early stages but has already faced significant pushback from the local community. Cloverleaf held an informational meeting—with a slideshow presentation—about the project last year, but has not announced a formal construction timeline. In the meantime, township officials are considering a full moratorium on data center projects.
Data center in Solon Township: An unnamed tech company is looking to build a data center in Solon Township. Community opposition has been organized under the “Stop Solon Township Data Center” group, raising concerns about environmental impacts, water and electricity use, and tax exemptions. The township adopted a six-month moratorium on data center projects in February and is now working on a zoning ordinance specifically addressing them. The Planning Commission held a public hearing for a draft data center ordinance in June and tabled the issue for future consideration. The Planning Commission’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26.
Data center in Jackson County: Developers have reportedly been “kicking tires” and looking for land for a potential data center in Jackson County and officials there have been working with Consumers Energy to identify suitable locations. No formal proposals have been filed. Individual townships reportedly handle all of the zoning decisions in Jackson County—leaving the County Board of Commissioners powerless to halt data center development, Fox 47 News reports.
Data center in Marshall: Toronto-based Alterra Development reportedly entered into a purchase agreement with the City of Marshall in October 2025 for 270 acres inside the Brooks Industrial Park—roughly half of which is wetlands—near Stuart Lake and the Brooks Nature Area. The project could require up to 1,400 megawatts of power, with Alterra proposing an on-site natural gas-fired turbine system to generate around 1,000 megawatts and importing the remainder from the grid. Because the site is already zoned industrial, no rezoning is required. Residents have organized opposition over noise, emissions, and wetland impacts, and the city is evaluating noise ordinances before any potential construction is allowed to proceed.
Data center in Detroit: Detroit leaders are weighing whether to temporarily block all data center development—including a proposed project on a small slice of city-owned land near the Stellantis Jeep plant. In March, the Detroit City Council voted 6-2 to ask Mayor Mary Sheffield to pause new data center permits for two years while the city studies the potential impacts. As of late July, Sheffield’s office has not acted on the request. In the meantime, the City Council has convened a working group to develop a more comprehensive data center zoning policy. On July 21, the Council also approved a resolution seeking to keep data center water use in check.
Data center in Mason: A data center developer has formally approached the city of Mason, promising a minimum $1 billion investment—which city officials say could more than double Mason’s annual property tax revenue. The company has not yet been identified publicly. The proposed site is at 3388 W. Columbia Rd. on a property that straddles the Mason-Vevay Township border. In June, the Vevay Township Board unanimously voted not to pursue a Public Act 425 agreement with the city. The developer now intends to pursue annexation of the roughly 400-acre site directly through the State Boundary Commission. A large and heated crowd attended the Vevay Township meeting, with residents raising concerns about infrastructure, water usage, and the loss of rural land. The Mason City Council approved a stricter noise and vibration ordinance on June 15. Separately, Mayor Russell Whipple and Councilwoman Elaine Ferris faced recall petitions over their votes over a now-repealed data center zoning ordinance. In July, county officials rejected the signatures that were submitted against Whipple but approved the signatures against Ferris—putting her recall on track for the November ballot.
University of Michigan/Los Alamos Computing Facility in Ypsilanti Township: Despite widespread local opposition, the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory are still pursuing a proposed $1.2 billion high-performance computing and AI research facility in Washtenaw County. University officials describe the project as a research center—not a commercial data center—but critics argue the scale and energy demands are comparable to other hyperscale projects. The project hit a significant obstacle in April after the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) voted 4-0 to enact a 12-month moratorium on water and sewer services to data centers within its service area—a move that directly implicates the site. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees has also formally opposed the project and trustees have vowed to “fight to our very last breath.” Still, the project is moving forward. The university is reportedly expected to decide later this summer where exactly it plans to build the facility.
Paused, stalled, or withdrawn
Data center in Stronach Township: Joe Tondu, president of Tondu Corporation, confirmed in May that he was exploring a data center development on 150 acres of industrially zoned land on Stronach Road in Manistee County, surrounded by state forest. Tondu stressed that no agreements have been signed and no formal proposal has been filed. Still, more than 200 local residents packed the meeting to voice opposition to the concept. Local officials have since passed a temporary moratorium to prohibit data center developments within the township.
Microsoft data center site in Dorr Township: Microsoft quietly purchased land near US-131 in Dorr Township as part of its broader push to develop data center campuses across West Michigan. Township officials say the company initially approached local leaders in 2024 to determine whether the site could be supported with adequate roads, water, sewer, and electricity infrastructure before completing the purchase shortly afterward. Few public details about the proposed development have been released. In response to growing concerns, Dorr Township officials have enacted a temporary moratorium on new data center development.
Buick City data center in Flint: Hillwood–Sterling, a joint venture backed by Dallas-based real estate developer Ross Perot Jr., is reportedly under contract to purchase roughly 200 acres of the former Buick City industrial site. Hillwood has two decades of data center development experience, including a Meta hyperscale facility in Texas, but it’s still unclear who the end user would be for a potential Flint project—or what size and investment it would involve. But any near-term development is now on hold after the Flint City Council passed a one-year moratorium on data centers on June 8. During the moratorium, no permit applications, site plans, or construction for data centers will be accepted or processed by the city of Flint.
Data center in Allen Park: Solstice Data proposed a 26-megawatt, roughly 45,000-square-foot data center on Enterprise Drive south of I-94. The proposal drew local opposition over noise, infrastructure strain, and health concerns. After repeatedly postponing a vote, the city Planning Commission formally rejected the plan in June. The developers can appeal the decision.
Prologis “Technical Campus” in Washington Township: San Francisco-based real estate giant Prologis was pursuing a rezoning of 312 acres of agricultural and industrial land near 32 Mile Road and M-53 in Macomb County before abruptly withdrawing its plans in May. Local residents have organized protests against the project, citing concerns over rural community character, grid and water impacts, and its proximity to schools. Township officials have since passed a six-month moratorium on data center projects and developers behind the project intend to wait until the township adopts an ordinance before reapplying for a zoning change.
Deep Green data center in Lansing: UK-based company Deep Green withdrew its application for a smaller-scale, 24-megawatt data center in downtown Lansing in April, just before the City Council was set to vote on—and likely reject—the project. The City Council has since passed a six-month moratorium on data center projects; it took effect July 27. The Council is also working on an ordinance that would put clear guardrails on future proposals. Since withdrawing its plans, Deep Green has indicated it still intends to pursue a project elsewhere in Michigan.
Data center in York Township: In Washtenaw County, Sansone Group explored the potential purchase of roughly 412 acres off Platt Road—currently owned by Toyota—for a data center, but withdrew its plans after the township made clear it would not modify an existing deal that prohibited a data center on the site. York Township has also enacted a temporary moratorium on all data center applications while local officials study whether and how to regulate them locally.
Meta-linked data center in Howell Township: A proposal for a $1 billion, 1,077-acre hyperscale data center in Livingston County’s Howell Township drew intense community opposition before the plan was paused. Both the township planning commission and Livingston County Planning Commission recommended rezoning for the project be denied. The Howell Township Board also unanimously enacted a six-month moratorium on data center approvals, prompting developers to formally withdraw their application. Township officials are still drafting a local data center ordinance. In May, the board voted to extend the moratorium an additional six months, through November. The data center plans could still resurface when it expires.
Data center in Augusta Township: In Washtenaw County, another major, 522-acre data center campus has been proposed on agricultural land by Thor Equities, requiring rezoning from local officials. The project has triggered resident petitions, legal maneuvering, and broader debates about whether rural communities should bear the infrastructure burden of AI development. The township board approved the rezoning request but residents organized a referendum—and the question of whether to overturn that approval is headed to an Aug. 4 ballot vote. A recall effort targeting all seven township board members is advancing after a judge denied appeals filed by the officials. For now, the project is temporarily unable to proceed under a 12-month moratorium on water and sewer services approved by the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority in April. In the meantime, the township Planning Commission is reportedly drafting an ordinance that would regulate “high resource demand facilities,” including data centers and data processing centers.
“Project Ironwood” in Dundee Township: Cloverleaf had examined a 750-acre site in Dundee and Milan townships for a data center known as Project Ironwood. The proposal collapsed after intense local opposition, with Cloverleaf withdrawing its pre-development agreement in October 2025. Township officials have since enacted a temporary moratorium on data center projects.
Franklin Partners in Pavilion Township: Illinois-based real estate firm Franklin Partners has explored building a data center on 265 acres in Kalamazoo County’s Pavilion Township. But after community backlash, the company withdrew its rezoning request. Franklin Partners has since been associated with the Microsoft data center proposal in Lowell Township.
Pitches from Concord Infrastructure Partners: Concord Infrastructure Partners has reportedly pitched data center proposals to multiple Michigan communities with an aggressive timeline for approval. As of publication, none have formally advanced a project with Concord.
Data center in Kalkaska County: Traverse City-based carbon-capture company Rocklocker floated plans for a potential data center in Kalkaska County late last year. The proposal faced pushback from residents and Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials indicated that public land would not be made available. Rocklocker has since dropped the idea entirely.
Data center proposal in Gibraltar: A proposed 100-megawatt data center at the former McLouth Steel site in Gibraltar has been paused after city officials approved a one-year moratorium on all data center development. The project—led by developer Raeden—would repurpose an industrial building along West Jefferson Avenue and could reportedly draw as much electricity as roughly 80,000 homes. City leaders say the moratorium is intended to give officials time to establish regulations before moving forward. The proposal has already sparked community pushback, with residents raising concerns about energy costs, air quality, and potential environmental impacts. While the citywide moratorium applies broadly, it includes a waiver provision—meaning the project could still advance depending on future city action.
Data center in Wixom: Wixom Industrial One, partnered with Sansone Group, is pursuing a three-building, 500,000-plus-square-foot data center on a 54-acre industrial site on Wixom Road in Oakland County. In July, the company reportedly asked the city to waive its six-month moratorium, but the City Council unanimously refused. Dozens of local residents spoke in opposition to the project, raising concerns about water and air quality, noise, and the developer’s failure to list a single permanent job in its application. A separate ordinance setting water, noise, and buffer standards was postponed after five hours of suggested revisions. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11. The local moratorium expires in September.
Proactive moratoria: Dozens of Michigan communities have enacted temporary bans on data center development—including Allendale Township, Ann Arbor Township, Armada Township, Brandon Township, Big Rapids Township, Caledonia Township, Cascade Township, Clark Township, Comstock Township, Dexter Township, Eagle Township, Erie Township, Filer Township, Grand Blanc Township, Green Charter Township, Green Lake Township, Gun Plain Charter Township, Haring Township, Hayes Township, Lenox Township, Leoni Township, Lincoln Township, Lodi Township, Manchester Township, Meridian Township, New Buffalo Township, Oneida Township, Oshtemo Township, Penn Township, Pittsfield Township, Porter Township, Speaker Township, Springfield Township, Sylvan Township, Texas Township, Tyrone Township, Waterford Township, Waterloo Township, Zeeland Township, Delta County, Huron County, Adrian, Dearborn Heights, East Lansing, Northville, Portage, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Romeo, Saginaw, Saline, South Lyon, Sterling Heights, and Taylor. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has adopted an indefinite moratorium on data center development on tribal lands. Garfield Township and Warren are also considering similar moratoria. All told, more than 50 cities and townships across Michigan have now passed data center moratoria, covering nearly 1,500 square miles. State lawmakers have also introduced legislation that would pause new data center development statewide. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she would veto any such legislation—but in July released a two-part plan that involves creating new state regulations and a voluntary, 10-point pledge on environmental compliance, clean energy, and other promised community benefits. At least six companies have signed it.
Did we miss a project in your neighborhood? Email us and we’ll add it to the list. And check back for news; we’ll keep this directory updated with fresh developments on a weekly basis.
READ MORE: Michigan’s US Senate candidates weigh in on data centers and AI
Don’t miss Michigan’s biggest stories—follow The ‘Gander on Instagram.
