Two public meetings on the data center proposal in Howell Township have been scheduled for this week in an effort to provide the community with information on what would be the largest development ever in Livingston County if it comes to fruition.
The information events are leading up to one of the most consequential municipal decisions in Livingston County history.
If approved, the hyperscale data center project will encompass over a thousand acres of farmland, and the $1 billion initial capital investment will immediately make it the county’s largest taxpayer; it would also open the door for similar projects down the road. While proponents point to the financial benefits of the development, opponents cite concerns about rising electricity costs, the strain on the area’s water supply, as well as light and sound pollution.
The Howell Township Planning Commission and the Livingston County Planning Commission each recommended the Howell Township Board deny the rezoning of those thousand acres to accommodate the data center. The Howell Township Board — which passed a 6-month moratorium on future data center projects that does not affect the current proposal — will make its final decision on the rezoning in a meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at the Howell High School Rod Bushey Auditorium, 1200 W. Grand River Ave. in Howell.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
The first informational event — set for 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Howell High School Rod Bushey Auditorium, 1200 W, Grand River Ave. — is being hosted by Livingston County Residents for Responsible Development. (The LCRRD describes itself as a nonprofit organization of local residents united by one goal: to “support, organize, and champion responsible development initiatives in Livingston that allow for prosperity without irreparable costs to our land, our neighbors, and the character of our rural community.”)
Across Michigan and the Midwest, communities are facing proposals similar to the one being pitched in Howell Township, involving large water withdrawals, unprecedented demand for electricity, the granting of tax incentives with unclear public benefit, rapid timelines, limited public information, and long-term infrastructure costs shifted onto local taxpayers, said Breanne Green, organizer and member of LCRRD.
“Residents should not be asked to make a decision that affects generations to come based on incomplete or one-sided information from the utility or developer,” she said. “This event gives the public access to experts who have no financial stake in the outcome.”
The event — designed to help residents understand the potential impacts of the hyperscale data center being pitched for Howell Township — is free and family friendly. Organizers say there will also be the chance for informed, community-led conversation.
“Residents have been asking for facts, clarity and transparency,” Green said. “This event brings independent experts and community members together so everyone can understand what this project really means for Howell’s water, land, energy, finances, and future.”
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The expert panelists include:
• Dr. Ben Green of the University of Michigan, assistant professor of information and public policy, and author of “What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town.”
Green will speak on the environmental impacts of data centers, as well as their water and energy demands, and address transparency concerns and Michgan’s statewide policy landscape.
• Prescott Balch, recently retired technology executive from U.S. Bank, and developer of the technology of the Department of Treasury’s electronic federal tax payment system.
Balch — who was featured in CNBC’s national story, “Why rural Wisconsin is blocking the AI data center boom” — will address technology and financial exposure risks for small townships, and standard deal terms that delay or limit community benefit.
• Gwen Klenke, midwest program coordinator for FracTracker Alliance, who will speak on data center energy demands, strain on Michigan’s power grid, and risk to taxpayers.
• Andrea Pierce of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, who will address water impacts, Great Lakes water withdrawal rules, and community environmental concerns.
Doors for event open at 6 p.m. Expert panel presentations and a moderated Q&A are set for 6:30-7:45 p.m. Community action stations will be open in the lobby from 7:45-8 p.m.
Registering ahead of time at is not required, but it will help the LCRRD prepare accordingly for the event.
Thursday, Dec. 4
The next evening, Thursday, Dec. 4, there will be a “science fair-style event” sponsored by the Van Gilder family, which owns the lion’s share of the land being considered for rezoning to accommodate the project, and other proponents of the Howell Township data center proposal. This drop-in event — in the same style as its first event on Nov. 10 — is set for 4-7 p.m. at Cleary Commons, 3725 Cleary Drive in Howell.
Visitors will be able to visit with representatives of the following groups:
• Project development team
• DTE
• Livingston County Drain Commission
• Operating Engineers Local No. 324
• Livingston County I.T. Department
• MHOG is planning to have a booth with information and hydrogeologic studies
• An unmanned tax assessor booth will also have information for attendees
For more information, visit www.HowellDataCenter.com.
