Amid furor over data center secrecy, Michigan developers try a new approach
Amid increasing public opposition to the secrecy surrounding data center developments, Lansing-area economic development officials are attempting a new approach focused on transparency and community involvement. Lansing Economic Area Partnership president and CEO Bob Trezise announced that the group is considering a potential data center at a 423-acre site in Delhi Charter Township, near Holt.
Unlike previous secrecy-driven plans, the Holt-area proposal has not involved local officials, non-disclosure agreements, identified an end user, or initiated land use applications. Trezise emphasized that the organization will proceed based on community reactions, starting with a series of weekly public meetings and residential advisory committee gatherings.
Public response has been mixed, with some residents expressing outrage over the potential development while others welcomed the economic benefits of a multi-billion dollar project. Delhi Township Manager Tracy Miller confirmed that local officials were unaware of the proposal until Tuesday and have not signed any non-disclosure agreements.
The proposed site, owned by a holding company associated with rental housing developer DTN Management, has been prepared for industrial redevelopment through a $6.5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Strategic Site Readiness Program. LEAP has partnered with Lighthouse Sustainability, which aims to ready properties for sustainable and affordable data center developments.
The proposed project could generate up to $10 billion, with plans for a data center of up to 1 gigawatt. Organizers are targeting a roughly $53 million boost to the local property tax base and have committed $20 million to a community benefits fund. The facility would create approximately 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 100 full-time permanent positions, powered entirely by clean energy, including rooftop solar panels and batteries provided by Resilience Energy.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
