A proposal for a $1 billion data center project in Howell Township in Michigan has been withdrawn according to recent reports. The developer behind the 1,000 acre data center proposal has withdrawn its rezoning application. The reason for this was, as it noted, the right thing to do in honoring the current moratium passed by local authorities in late November. Township attorney Christopher Patterson noted that the township could have gone ahead with the rezoning request. The request was set to be considered on December 8.
However, the site plan for the facility would not have been able to move forward. Developers Stantec Consulting Michigan and Randee LLC wanted to build their data center at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Fleming Road. Furthermore, it was to be on a land parcel currently zoned for various uses. The identity of the end-user is still unclear. However, reports have identified Meta as the hyperscaler behind the project. The cancellation of the project joins a rather growing list of data center cancellations in recent times.
Challenges that Faced the Data Center Project in Howell Township
Before withdrawal, the data center project in Howell Township faced opposition, though it is not the only one. Opposition to data center projects across the U.S have been fierce. Concerns about energy and water use as well as environmental and procedural concerns have been key factors. For residents in Howell, they had to adopt many of the same organizing tactics used by various communities across the US. Facebook has become a crucial tool for local groups looking to coordinate a response. For instance, Stop the Data Centers group shows several posts publicizing the time and location of township meetings. Furthermore, it provides information and guidance about the process of providing public comment. Another data center in Florida is facing massive opposition as a petition on change.org is garnering opposition to 3,728 at the time of writing. Howell Township, in Livingston County is approximately 60 miles (96.5km) northwest of downtown Detroit.
Project Factsheet
Status:
- $1B data center bid has been abandoned.
- Stantec Consulting Michigan and Randee LLC developers withdrew the rezoning application.
- The withdrawal was to respect a local moratorium in late November.
Project Overview:
- Proposed on a 1000 acre parcel of Grand River Avenue and Fleming Road.
- The zoning of the land was so that it was now multiple use land; zoning had to be re-done.
- It was generally assumed that the end-user was Meta but not verified.
Regulatory Notes:
- Rezoning application was to be considered on December 8.
- It could have gone ahead
- However, the site plan could not progress because of the moratorium.
Key Challenges:
- Good community protests on environmental, energy, and water-use issues.
- Local organizations organized resistance on Facebook
- Represents a broader national movement of backlash against hyperscale data center project expansions.
Location:
- Howell, Livingston County, Michigan.
- About 60 miles (96.5km) northwest of the Detroit downtown
