Daily Digest — June 15, 2026
Michigan: Lowell Township Residents Rally Against Proposed Microsoft Data Center
Residents in Lowell Charter Township, Michigan, held a rally on Sunday to oppose a proposed Microsoft data center, according to WOOD TV8. The event, organized by Residents United for a Healthy Lowell, drew community members from across West Michigan who voiced concerns about public health, environmental impacts, and effects on local natural resources.
The rally preceded a critical township board meeting scheduled for Monday night. Attendees cited a lack of information regarding the long-term effects of data centers on wildlife and the surrounding community. The demonstration followed a six-and-a-half-hour planning commission meeting where residents shared similar concerns, as also reported by WOODTV.com. Organizers indicated the rally marks the beginning of sustained community action.
Missouri: Maryville Residents Protest $6.3B Scale Microgrids Data Center, Push for County Moratorium
Residents of Maryville, Missouri, and Nodaway County are protesting a proposed $6.3 billion AI data center by Scale Microgrids, according to the Northwest Missourian. A coalition called "Nodaway Says No" formed in April after the community learned of the potential development south of Maryville.
A demonstration held on June 13 drew significant turnout, with attendees raising concerns about:
- Water usage and potential contamination
- Depletion of natural resources
- Traffic, noise, and light pollution
- Use of farmland for the development
Protester Rob Duvall specifically called for the Nodaway County Commission to implement a moratorium on data center development. Scale Microgrids is expected to make a final decision on the project by the end of June.
Wisconsin: Hundreds Gather in Eau Claire Against Data Center Development; State Law Complicates County Moratoriums
Hundreds of western Wisconsin residents gathered in Eau Claire for an event titled "Uniting West Wisconsin: A Regional Response to Data Centers," organized by Great Lakes Neighbors United and Grass Roots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW), according to the Leader-Telegram. The event, which also drew coverage from the Wisconsin Examiner, featured comedian Charlie Berens and focused on economic and environmental concerns related to data center development.
The discussion centered in part on a proposed 320-acre, $1.6 billion hyperscale AI data center in Menomonie by Ballonist, LLC. The Menomonie City Council had initially approved a rezoning for the site, but subsequent changes to the city's broader zoning code have paused the project. The actual company behind the development remains unknown due to a nondisclosure agreement.
Separately, WLUK-TV FOX 11 reported on the legal complexities surrounding county-level data center moratoriums in Wisconsin. State law does not permit counties to enact general "development moratoriums," though Manitowoc County passed one in April using specific language crafted to withstand legal challenge. Brown County's existing zoning structure prevents it from enacting a similar measure.
- State Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) was instrumental in the Manitowoc County moratorium and stated the county's corporation counsel believes it would survive a court challenge.
- State Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay) said the Wisconsin Legislature is expected to revisit data center regulation early in its next session, beginning in January.
- Individual municipalities retain the ability to implement development moratoriums under current state law.
Kansas: Emporia Faces Public Opposition to Proposed Hyperscale Data Center; Developer's Background Draws Scrutiny
Emporia, Kansas, is pursuing a hyperscale data center project dubbed the "Flint Hills Digital Campus," presented as a path to economic recovery following the closure of a Tyson Beef plant, according to the Kiowa County Press. The Regional Development Association championed the project, stating it could triple the local tax base.
The developer was initially identified only as "Kanza Park Place LLC," prompting public backlash over transparency. Community members subsequently identified Gary Pinkston, an 84-year-old real estate developer, as the individual behind the entity. The Emporia City Commission unanimously voted to annex five parcels of land for the project on June 3.
Key details and concerns:
- A planning commission hearing on zoning requests is scheduled for June 23
- Residents have raised concerns about water resources, energy demands, and environmental impacts
- Pinkston is currently a defendant in a federal civil case concerning a $200 million luxury condominium project in Hawaii and has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Pinkston's spokesman has asserted these legal issues do not affect the data center project's feasibility
