Debates over the projects, promising employment and billions in investment supercharging taxes for roads and schools, have hit township and city halls in waves. Residents are riled up<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read more: A wave of big AI data centers targets Michigan. Here\u2019s what to know<\/a><\/p>\n Experts credit new state tax breaks<\/a> and a surge in AI development nationwide for luring the largest data center projects like never before.<\/p>\n MLive\u2019s count includes projects at all stages. One is preparing for construction within weeks<\/a>. Others represent mere interest in property or requests for zoning changes. Several appear to be abandoned or on hold, though developers could revive them in the future.<\/p>\n In many cases, details remain hazy. Developers rarely disclose the names of Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google or Amazon that could use the data centers if built. Exact figures for power or water consumption are also not always made public.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s where to watch for data center projects in Michigan. (Can\u2019t see the map below? Click here.<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Saline Township, Washtenaw County \u2013 Stargate project <\/p>\n Construction crews have begun preparing the site<\/a> of a planned data center for ChatGPT creator OpenAI and cloud computing giant Oracle \u2014 Michigan\u2019s first \u201chyperscale\u201d project<\/a> and part of OpenAI\u2019s $500-billion \u201cStargate\u201d investment across the nation.<\/p>\n Set to occupy 250 acres of farmland on a larger 575-acre property south of Ann Arbor, the project developed by Related Digital secured approval through a lawsuit settlement with Saline Township<\/a>. Developers say they plan to begin full construction in early 2026.<\/p>\n Utility DTE Energy is seeking to fast-track approval of power contracts<\/a> to meet the 1.4 gigawatt electric demand for the project, more than enough to power a million homes. Regulators may act<\/a> on the request as soon as Dec. 18.<\/a><\/p>\n Howell Township, Livingston County \u2013 Meta project<\/p>\n Developers behind a data center project on more than 1,000 acres of agricultural land west of Howell withdrew a rezoning request<\/a> on Dec. 8 amid local opposition<\/a> and a six-month moratorium<\/a> on data center proposals passed by township officials.<\/p>\n It was proposed by developer Randee, LLC and reportedly backed by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta<\/a>. Developers did not specify whether the project will be resubmitted.<\/p>\n Augusta Township, Washtenaw County \u2013 Thor Equities project<\/p>\n In July, township leaders voted to approve rezoning<\/a> about 522 acres within an 810-acre site west of Milan as New York City-based real estate investment firm Thor Equities considered purchasing the land for a data center project valued at over $1 billion.<\/p>\n A local citizens\u2019 group opposing the move collected hundreds of signatures<\/a> to put the rezoning on the ballot. It\u2019s expected to go to voters in 2026.<\/p>\n York Township, Washtenaw County \u2013 Sansone Group project<\/p>\n St. Louis-based real estate firm Sansone Group is considering the purchase of 412 acres for a data center<\/a> project off Platt Road east of Saline and north of Milan. The land is now owned by Toyota.<\/p>\n No official proposal has been submitted to the township, though officials have discussed the project informally. In the meantime, some residents are calling for a moratorium<\/a> on data centers.<\/p>\n Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw County \u2013 University of Michigan\/Los Alamos National Laboratory facility<\/p>\n Unlike other commercial proposals proposed in the area, this $1.2-billion project<\/a> would act as a research center for UM and Los Alamos. University officials call it a \u201chigh-performance computing facility\u201d that focuses on AI, but opponents commonly refer to it as a data center.<\/p>\n Ypsilanti Township leaders oppose a proposed location along Textile Road. They have urged the state<\/a> to pull a $100 million grant<\/a> supporting the project. An area lawmaker has also introduced legislation<\/a> that would block the funding, though UM representatives maintain no site has formally been selected.<\/p>\n Van Buren Township, Wayne County \u2013 \u201cProject Cannoli\u201d<\/p>\n Developers with Panattoni Data Center Group have held open house events over a potential data center project<\/a> on about 280 acres near Belleville, dubbed \u201cProject Cannoli.\u201d They say property zoning allows data centers. <\/p>\n The facility would use roughly 1 gigawatt<\/a> of electricity, enough for roughly 750,000 homes, Planet Detroit reported.<\/p>\n Lyon Township, Oakland County \u2013 \u201cProject Flex\u201d<\/p>\n Some 1.8 million square feet in data center buildings are proposed in southwestern Oakland County on a 172-acre lot owned by Detroit construction firm Walbridge, Crain\u2019s Detroit Business reported.<\/a><\/p>\n In September, the Lyon Township Planning Commission conditionally approved a site plan from data center developer Verrus, a company started by Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, backed by Google parent company Alphabet and other investors. <\/p>\n Southfield, Oakland County – Metrobloks project<\/p>\n California-based data center developer Metrobloks is targeting about 12 acres of mostly vacant land near Inkster and 11 Mile roads in Southfield for a nearly 110,000-square-foot data center<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is expected to be smaller than some other recent project proposals, drawing 100 megawatts of power. City leaders voted to approve a site plan<\/a> for the project on Dec. 15, the Detroit Free Press reported.<\/p>\n Gaines Township, Kent County \u2013 Microsoft project<\/p>\n Microsoft has asked to rezone<\/a> a portion of a 316-acre property it purchased from office furniture manufacturer Steelcase in 2024 on the northwest corner of Patterson Avenue and 76th Street south of Grand Rapids.<\/p>\n The request, up for a public hearing on Dec. 18, is for a potential data center, though the tech giant says its project plans have yet to be finalized.<\/p>\n Dorr Township, Allegan County \u2013 Microsoft project<\/p>\n Microsoft also scooped up some 272 acres along U.S. 131 in Allegan County in 2024, acknowledging the property could be considered for a potential data center, Crain\u2019s Grand Rapids Business reported.<\/a><\/p>\n Formal plans have not been announced.<\/p>\n Lowell Township, Kent County \u2013 Franklin Partners<\/p>\n Lowell city and township officials are working with The Right Place, the economic development organization for Kent County, and Illinois-based real estate broker Franklin Partners on a potential data center on a 235-acre parcel in Lowell Township, east of Grand Rapids.<\/p>\n Though the land has long been slated as a business park, township officials are now entertaining a rezoning request for a data center valued at up to $1 billion, amid local concerns<\/a>. A public hearing is set for Jan. 12.<\/a><\/p>\n Developers have refused to name the tenant behind the data center, beyond the fact that it is one of the 10 largest U.S.-based companies.<\/a><\/p>\n Pavilion Township, Kalamazoo County \u2013 Franklin Partners<\/p>\n Franklin Partners has also considered potential data center development<\/a> southwest of Kalamazoo and asked Pavilion Township officials to consider amending local rules to permit a project.<\/p>\n The firm owns 265 acres in the township\u2019s industrial district near N Avenue and 26th Street. However, after community backlash<\/a>, developers withdrew the request<\/a>, putting the idea on hold, at least for now.<\/p>\n Lansing, Ingham County \u2013 Deep Green<\/p>\n United Kingdom-based Deep Green hopes to expand stateside with a $120-million, 24-megawatt data center in downtown Lansing, pitched for city-owned parking lots.<\/p>\n At a smaller scale than other data centers proposed in Michigan, the project would partner with the Lansing Board of Water and Light to provide heat to downtown buildings, cutting natural gas usage.<\/p>\n Lansing city officials are expected to vote<\/a> on the property sale and a rezoning in early 2026, the Lansing State Journal reported. <\/p>\n Frenchtown Township, Monroe County \u2013 \u201cProject Cherry Blossom\u201d<\/p>\n Texas-based data center developer Cloverleaf is considering a former golf course near I-75 and North Dixie Highway<\/a> north of Monroe for a 200-acre project, christened \u201cProject Cherry Blossom.\u201d The property is owned by Frenchtown Township.<\/p>\n Developers have held informational meetings with residents, but the project is in early stages.<\/p>\n Dundee Township, Monroe County \u2013 \u201cProject Ironwood\u201d<\/p>\n Cloverleaf has also explored a 350-acre site north of Dundee village near Ann Arbor and Day roads for a potential data center, called \u201cProject Ironwood.\u201d<\/p>\n Developers are holding discussions with residents<\/a>, The Monroe News reported, though township officials have passed a temporary moratorium on data center projects.<\/p>\n Kalkaska County \u2013 Rocklocker, LLC<\/p>\n After a frosty reception from community members, a Traverse City-based carbon capture company, Rocklocker, LLC, says it is dropping its pursuit<\/a> of a potential data center project<\/a> in northern Michigan.<\/p>\n![\"Rural](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765909148_606_XOQV3DTCKZDE3NOPDYJFGZDPSQ.jpg\")
Details of a township meeting at Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center, located at 1200 W. Grand River Ave., on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.Abra Richardson <\/p>\n![\"Michigan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/KB3D47VGOVGE5B5RA2IKYPFE7U.jpg\")
Real estate group Sansone Group is interested in potentially using vacant land owned by Toyota located on the west side off Platt Rd., across from the Toyota facility on 8777 S. Platt St. Abra Richardson <\/p>\n![\"Lowell](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/R7DFE3HQS5HVLNZBSMGJ7VXVJQ.jpg\")
Randy Thelen, president and CEO of The Right Place, speaks at a town hall discussion in the city of Lowell about a potential data center at an industrial site in Lowell Township. Thelen said recent legislation has ignited data center interest in Michigan.Photo by Ehren Wynder<\/p>\n![\"Standing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RSLTDMLE6FAJRLXU6GDOAFBFII.JPG\")
More than 150 people packed inside a meeting room in Fife Lake on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, to hear details about a possible new data center being built in Kalkaska County. (Sheri McWhirter | MLive.com)Sheri McWhirter<\/p>\n