Ypsilanti Township Faces Data Center Dilemma: Green Fields or Concrete?

In Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, a significant choice is on the horizon. Two potential sites are under consideration for a new data center:

• Option 1: An old GM plant site—gray, concrete, and industrial.
• Option 2: A lush, green area near the Huron River.

Township leaders are leaning toward the concrete option.

Community Concerns Rise

At a recent meeting, locals expressed serious concerns, including:

• Environmental impact
• Health risks
• National security implications

Questions flooded in about:

• Power lines
• The nearby Ford Lake dam
• Utility companies' political influence

A $1.2 Billion Project with Big Backers

The project is supported by:

• University of Michigan
• Los Alamos National Laboratory

It's a $1.2 billion plan for scientific research and innovation, though some simply call it a data center.

Officials in the Dark

Township officials admit they lack key information, especially regarding health risks. One representative stated:

"We just don’t know enough."

Residents Find Meeting Helpful

Despite uncertainties, the meeting provided a centralized source of information. Some residents began researching potentially endangered species near the green site. The meeting also revealed a growing unity among locals against the project.

Next Steps

The University of Michigan plans to host its own meeting soon, claiming a commitment to open dialogue. For now, the township is pushing for the GM plant site, while some residents hope the project will disappear entirely.