{"id":72213,"date":"2026-02-02T17:36:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T22:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?p=72213"},"modified":"2026-02-02T17:57:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T22:57:42","slug":"at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. No one knows if they&#8217;ll work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As data center developers float plans in more than a dozen Michigan communities, pushback against the facilities is growing<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>At least 19 communities have passed or proposed moratoriums on data center development, while bipartisan lawmakers push state-level reforms and gubernatorial candidates chime in on the debate<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supporters tout the potential jobs and investment, while opponents fear pollution and energy rate hikes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Had anyone asked him a year ago, Tim Boal could barely have described what a data center is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, lured to Michigan by <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/90m-data-center-tax-break-plan-headed-gov-whitmer-after-final-passage\/\">newly passed tax breaks<\/a>, industry representatives came knocking on Howell Township\u2019s door. Boal, who sits on the township board and planning commission, found his life consumed with the question of whether to let them in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After six years in local government, he\u2019s dealt with his fair share of hot-button issues. But the backlash to the proposed rezoning of 1,000 acres for a $1 billion hyperscale computing facility, he said, was something \u201cI\u2019ve never seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, Boal and his fellow township board members joined at least 18 other local governments around Michigan in voting or proposing to temporarily halt new data centers while they rush to set limits on where, when and how the facilities can operate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those actions come amid a wave of packed local meetings where residents have expressed fear of lost farmland, polluted air and water, concerns about the risks of AI or that Michiganders could end up on the hook for the big-dollar facilities if the artificial intelligence boom goes bust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/where-michigan-gubernatorial-candidates-stand-on-data-centers\/\"><strong>Where Michigan\u2019s gubernatorial candidates stand on data centers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/michigan-regulators-approve-contract-for-michigans-first-hyperscale-data-center\/\"><strong>Regulators approve DTE contracts for Michigan\u2019s first hyperscale data center<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/michigan-lawmakers-unveil-plan-to-repeal-data-center-tax-breaks\/\"><strong>Michigan lawmakers unveil plan to repeal data center tax breaks<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/data-centers-eyed-in-at-least-10-michigan-towns-how-they-might-change-state\/\"><strong>Data centers eyed in at least 10 Michigan towns. How they might change state<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beneath it all simmers a resentment that lawmakers, eager for taxes and jobs amid a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/industries\/technology-media-and-telecommunications\/our-insights\/the-cost-of-compute-a-7-trillion-dollar-race-to-scale-data-centers\">multi-trillion-dollar<\/a> global AI boom, have promised tax breaks to some of the world\u2019s richest corporations while Michigan residents <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/here-are-facts-shaping-michigan-as-state-gears-for-big-election-year\/\">feel the financial pinch.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 130 Bridge Michigan readers named data centers as a top issue they\u2019d like to see 2026 candidates address in <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdOHxDcujY5qm-2YMk3Th0nXHP0xQwdt4g013IFglK7gPMRKQ\/viewform\">Bridge Listens<\/a>, an ongoing, unscientific survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdOHxDcujY5qm-2YMk3Th0nXHP0xQwdt4g013IFglK7gPMRKQ\/viewform\">Take the survey<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s cutting across all political, socioeconomic and cultural lines,\u201d said Marjorie Steele, executive director of the <a href=\"https:\/\/edraofmi.org\/\">Michigan Economic Development Responsibility Alliance<\/a>, which opposes data center expansion. \u201cThese data centers are being opposed in every community where they are proposed, including communities which are heavily industrialized already, which are rural agricultural, which are heavily Republican, heavily Democrat, wealthy, poor, and everywhere in between.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A representative for the Data Center Coalition, an industry trade group, touted data centers as \u201cessential digital infrastructure\u201d that fuels everything from online shopping to virtual schooling and doctors\u2019 appointments while infusing host communities with tax revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignright is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9649a0d9 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0px; padding: 171.16% 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; will-change: transform;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/8fa9a8d1-956e-41ed-ab63-6c4232fbdf36?src=embed&amp;embed_type=responsive_iframe\" title=\"Data Centers coming to Michigan\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"fullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; left: 0px; border: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe data center industry will continue to work with residents, communities and policymakers to enable the continued responsible development of this critical industry, said Dan Diorio, the group&#8217;s vice president of state policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, a politically diverse coalition is calling for a statewide moratorium and an end to the tax breaks that have lured Big Tech to Michigan. Seizing on the backlash, <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/where-michigan-gubernatorial-candidates-stand-on-data-centers\/\">some candidates for statewide office<\/a> are making data center skepticism a central theme of their campaigns.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still unclear is whether the resistance will have any lasting effect on the industry\u2019s planned expansion into Michigan and how far local governments can go in their efforts to slow or block data center development without running afoul of laws prohibiting exclusionary zoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The push and the pushback<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Late in 2024, state lawmakers <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/90m-data-center-tax-break-plan-headed-gov-whitmer-after-final-passage\/\">narrowly approved tax breaks<\/a> to lure the industry to the state.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If developers invest at least $250 million, employ 30 people and meet some other requirements, they pay nothing in state sales and use taxes through at least 2050 \u2014 a savings that could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars per facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within months, Shanna Draheim and her team at the Michigan Municipal League started receiving calls from local officials in communities that had attracted the industry\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-attachment-id=\"72190\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/01292026_datacenter_ee_2-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R5m2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1738043713&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;126&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"01292026_datacenter_EE_2 (1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;During an informational session on Wednesday about a proposed University of Michigan\/Los Alamos National Laboratory data center in Ypsilanti Township, residents jotted down questions and concerns on notecards. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A closeup of a notecard with a question about data centers written on it\" class=\"wp-image-72190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_2-1-1024x576.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">During an informational session on Wednesday about a proposed University of Michigan\/Los Alamos National Laboratory data center in Ypsilanti Township, residents jotted down questions and concerns on notecards. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the solar arrays and megasites that have also sparked controversy in Michigan, data centers take up lots of space, which means they are often sited on farmland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not a land use most rural communities had ever contemplated before, said Draheim, the MML\u2019s policy director. Small-town officials may have set aside land and crafted regulations for industrial development, but, until recently, they had no reason to assume their community would attract much more than small factories and warehouses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, Draheim said, \u201cyou have these huge, global entities with a lot of money and financial people and legal professionals coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The facilities they\u2019re seeking occupy hundreds of acres at a time, with energy demands rivaling that of a major city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019ve never dealt with stuff like this before,\u201d Draheim said. \u201cOne of the things we&#8217;ve just been saying is \u2026 it&#8217;s OK to pump the brakes and figure out what questions you have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fast-forward a few months, and<strong> <\/strong>communities from Saginaw to the outskirts of Muskegon have paused data center approvals for anywhere from three months to a year, according to a Bridge Michigan tally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some, such as Howell Township, have done so in reaction to active development proposals. For others, it\u2019s a preemptive measure based on the belief that Big Tech could set sights on their town next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe clearly can\u2019t stop them, but we can control them in a way that they&#8217;re not going to be proposed in an area that will undermine a community,\u201d said Amanda Nimke, supervisor of Sylvan Township, near Chelsea, which just passed a six-month moratorium.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Mason, which also recently pressed pause on data centers, Mayor Russell Whipple doesn\u2019t necessarily see the facilities as a bad thing. Growth has long been a goal for cities like his \u2014 business taxes, after all, help fund public infrastructure and services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t see them as the boogeyman,\u201d Whipple said. \u201cI see the potential for a transformational impact to the city&#8217;s revenue stream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Steele, of the <a href=\"https:\/\/edraofmi.org\/\">Michigan Economic Development Responsibility Alliance<\/a>, sees things differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She got her start protesting the <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/business-watch\/gotion-green-township-owes-us-significant-monetary-damages-for-failed-deal\/\">now-dead Gotion electric vehicle battery plant<\/a> proposal outside Big Rapids and other large factories and solar farms on rural land. That experience convinced opponents that promised jobs and investment from development projects may not be worth the tradeoffs, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrankly,\u201d she added, \u201cit&#8217;s also set the model for fighting back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her group is part of a growing, loosely affiliated coalition of environmental groups, utility ratepayer advocates and economic development watchdogs pushing back against data center proposals across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the list of moratoriums keep growing, communities that wish not to host data centers face a delicate balance, said Kathryn Stegink, a Grand Rapids attorney with the firm Mika Myers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Local governments are free to set standards that protect public health, safety and general welfare while potentially making their community unappealing to developers \u2014 for instance, placing limits on noise, building height, allowable acreage or the glare of nighttime lights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut at the same time, they have to be careful about making sure that they don&#8217;t cross into the world of exclusionary zoning,\u201d Stegink said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>State law prohibits local governments from banning land uses for which there is a demonstrated local need. It\u2019s not yet clear whether data centers fall into that category, said Michael Homier, a municipal attorney with Foster Swift Collins &amp; Smith.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIs data center a demonstrated need, or are we just getting these facilities because of tax breaks that have made it more attractive to locate in Michigan?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Ypsilanti Township, local officials have few options but to symbolically oppose <a href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/business-watch\/opposition-grows-to-1-2b-supercomputer-plan-u-m-cant-be-trusted-foes-say\/\">a proposed University of Michigan-Los Alamos National Laboratory data center<\/a> on 124 wooded acres between the Huron River and a Ford Motor Co. plant.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The township board and many local residents have come out against the proposal, a portion of which would be used for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/news\/news-briefs\/los-alamos-confirms-umich-data-center-to-be-used-for-nuclear-weapons-research\/\">nuclear weapons research.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a public university, U-M is exempt from the zoning laws that would otherwise require developers to get local approval for the project. So township officials have launched a public relations campaign, calling on residents to contact their state officials to voice objections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe power of the people banding together \u2026 is our best option,\u201d township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo told residents who gathered at a Wednesday meeting to discuss the project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A political landmine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While local communities ponder their options, a growing chorus of lawmakers and advocates are pushing to rein in data center development \u2014 and receiving mixed reactions from the state\u2019s top political leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>State Reps. Jim DeSana, R-Carleton, Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, and and Erin Byrnes, D-Dearborn, are sponsoring legislation to overturn the data center tax breaks, while a trio of Democratic senators has introduced a package to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislature.mi.gov\/documents\/2025-2026\/billintroduced\/Senate\/pdf\/2025-SIB-0761.pdf\">place guardrails<\/a> on the industry\u2019s water and energy use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A host of advocacy groups have called for a statewide moratorium and state Rep. Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, has said she will introduce legislation to propose one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-attachment-id=\"72189\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/01292026_datacenter_ee_1-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS R5m2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1738043595&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"01292026_datacenter_EE_1 (1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo and US Rep. Debbie Dingell converse on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026, before an informational session hosted by Ypsilanti Township on the proposed Los Alamos National Laboratory\/University of Michigan data center. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Two people converse at the back of an auditorium\" class=\"wp-image-72189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_1-1-1024x576.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo and US Rep. Debbie Dingell converse on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026, before an informational session hosted by Ypsilanti Township on the proposed Los Alamos National Laboratory\/University of Michigan data center. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Other bills would ban local officials from signing non-disclosure agreements related to prospective data center developments and <a href=\"https:\/\/planetdetroit.org\/2025\/12\/university-of-michigan-data-center-funding\/\">block<\/a> a $100 million state grant awarded in 2024 to facilitate the proposed U-M-Los Alamos data center in Ypsilanti Township.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At least some of those efforts seem like longshots \u2014 both state House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, have said they don\u2019t support a statewide moratorium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think we need the data centers,\u201d Hall said, but only with local input and confidence that they won\u2019t raise energy rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whitmer spokesperson Stacey LaRouche was more unequivocal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAny legislation that prevents us from growing the economy and creating jobs is an automatic non-starter and would be vetoed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Michigan set to elect a new governor this fall, the state\u2019s leading candidates to replace Whitmer clearly see data centers as a key campaign issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gubernatorial candidates Democrat Jocelyn Benson, independent Mike Duggan and Republican John James have chimed in on the debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Benson, whose husband, Ryan Friedrichs, is a vice president for Related Digital, the company behind Michigan\u2019s first data center project, has vowed to ban data centers that use state water and raise electricity costs. Her husband has vowed to recuse himself from any state work if she\u2019s elected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duggan has called for a statewide siting standard for data centers, arguing the facilities are an important economic development tool but that Michigan must require sustainable water management, ensure data centers pay for their own power and address negative impacts on local communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>James has called the state\u2019s current approach to data centers \u201ccrazy\u201d and advocated for greater transparency and local control over data center deals, along with efforts to build on blighted industrial sites rather than farmland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Tom Leonard, a candidate in the Republican primary, has gone so far as to make data center discontent a central theme of his campaign, traveling to city and township meetings across the state to voice his objection to the facilities and the solar arrays that he fears will be built to power them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leonard told a Bridge reporter the big crowds at those meetings prove voters are sick of big businesses and politicians telling them to \u201csit down, shut up and let us do what we\u2019re going to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLansing and Big Tech has met its match,\u201d he said. \u201cAnybody on the ballot in 2026 better take note of this issue, because people are fed up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What does it all mean for data center development?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Short construction timelines are important to tech companies as they compete to corner the market and call dibs on Michigan\u2019s limited available electrical grid capacity. That makes them prone to aborting proposals when public resistance slows them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe look for communities that want us,\u201d said Steve DelBianco, president and CEO of the tech industry group NetChoice. \u201cIf we have a community that has open arms, good land, plenty of power, we will build there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data center developers have already rescinded or paused plans in several Michigan communities amid pushback from residents. Nationally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacenterwatch.org\/report\">some $64 billion<\/a> in data center projects have been blocked or delayed amid local opposition, according to the group Data Center Watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-attachment-id=\"72192\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/jfb_dtehqprotestsalinedc_120325_003-1-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Protesters demonstrate near the DTE Energy headquarters in Detroit on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, demanding the Michigan Public Service Commission conduct a thorough review before approving an energy deal for a proposed hyperscale data center in rural Washtenaw County. (Josh Boland for Bridge Michigan)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Protesters demonstrate in downtown Detroit\" class=\"wp-image-72192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/JFB_DTEHQProtestSalineDC_120325_003-1-1024x576.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Protesters demonstrate near the DTE Energy headquarters in Detroit on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, demanding the Michigan Public Service Commission conduct a thorough review before approving an energy deal for a proposed hyperscale data center in rural Washtenaw County. (Josh Boland for Bridge Michigan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That includes in Howell Township, where Boal and his colleagues recently voted to pause data center approvals. Shortly after the township board enacted the moratorium, officials behind the proposed facility withdrew their proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe believe the right thing to do now is to honor the current moratorium, which will give the Township and its residents the time needed to develop thoughtful, well-considered regulations for any future data centers,\u201d they wrote in a public statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No fewer than 19 communities have paused data center development, while bipartisan lawmakers push to repeal policies that have lured the industry to Michigan.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001,"featured_media":72191,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-02-02T22:37:00Z","apple_news_api_id":"3071ac7e-f5eb-4eec-ae39-1540650f31aa","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-02-02T22:57:48Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AMHGsfvXrTuyuORVAZQ8xqg","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[2444],"tags":[4328,62],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[2470],"class_list":["post-72213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-michigan-environment-watch","tag-top-of-homepage","tag-rural-michigan","entry"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. No one knows if they&#039;ll work - Bridge Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. No one knows if they&#039;ll work - Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"No fewer than 19 communities have paused data center development, while bipartisan lawmakers push to repeal policies that have lured the industry to Michigan.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-02T22:36:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-02T22:57:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_14-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kelly House\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kelly House\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kelly House\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/cbdcea1c32cc09189eec24b023438535\"},\"headline\":\"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. 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Local officials, including township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo, center, have objected to the proposal but have little recourse because U-M is not subject to local zoning regulations. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. 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She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon\u2019s natural resources. She has a master\u2019s degree in environmental law from Lewis &amp; Clark Law School and a bachelor\u2019s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at\u00a0khouse@bridgemi.com\u00a0or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/kelly-house\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. 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No one knows if they'll work - Bridge Michigan","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_14-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-02-02T22:36:53+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-02T22:57:42+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_14-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01292026_datacenter_EE_14-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Attendees listen as state and local officials detail plans for a proposed University of Michigan\/Los Alamos National Laboratory data center in Ypsilanti Township. Local officials, including township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo, center, have objected to the proposal but have little recourse because U-M is not subject to local zoning regulations. (Emily Elconin for Bridge Michigan)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. 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She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon\u2019s natural resources. She has a master\u2019s degree in environmental law from Lewis &amp; Clark Law School and a bachelor\u2019s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at\u00a0khouse@bridgemi.com\u00a0or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/kelly-house\/"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-environment-watch\/at-least-19-michigan-towns-pause-data-centers-no-one-knows-if-itll-work\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Data center moratoriums pile up in Michigan. 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testimony on the risks posed by Big Tech\u2019s foray into Michigan.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Environment Watch&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Environment Watch","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-environment-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A committee listens to testimony","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/House-Corporate-Subsidies-and-State-Investments-Committee-02042026-KH.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/House-Corporate-Subsidies-and-State-Investments-Committee-02042026-KH.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/House-Corporate-Subsidies-and-State-Investments-Committee-02042026-KH.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, 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Environment Watch","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-environment-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Protesters in downtown Lansing","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/12162025_data-center-rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/12162025_data-center-rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/12162025_data-center-rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/12162025_data-center-rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/12162025_data-center-rally-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 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Data center opponents expressed outrage, while business leaders cheered the decision.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Michigan Environment Watch&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Environment Watch","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-environment-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"An aerial photo of farmland.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/11172025_salinetownship_JK.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/11172025_salinetownship_JK.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/11172025_salinetownship_JK.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/11172025_salinetownship_JK.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/11172025_salinetownship_JK.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1589,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/business-watch\/new-push-reform-michigan-corporate-subsidies-time-republicans\/","url_meta":{"origin":72213,"position":3},"title":"New push to reform Michigan corporate subsidies, this time from Republicans","author":"Paula Gardner","date":"April 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Lawmakers from both parties say they want more accountability and to steer big money away from companies toward communities.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Business Watch&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Business Watch","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/business-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michigan State capitol building in Lansing Michigan in early spring","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Michigan-State-capitol-building-iStock.jpg?fit=1141%2C919&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Michigan-State-capitol-building-iStock.jpg?fit=1141%2C919&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Michigan-State-capitol-building-iStock.jpg?fit=1141%2C919&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Michigan-State-capitol-building-iStock.jpg?fit=1141%2C919&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Michigan-State-capitol-building-iStock.jpg?fit=1141%2C919&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":72209,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-government\/where-michigan-gubernatorial-candidates-stand-on-data-centers\/","url_meta":{"origin":72213,"position":4},"title":"Where Michigan gubernatorial candidates stand on data centers","author":"Kelly House","date":"February 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Bridge Michigan asked gubernatorial candidates for their stance on the hot-button issue of data centers, amid concerns surrounding Benson\u2019s familial and professional connections to a data center developer. 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