Kalamazoo residents oppose potential data center at former cannabis grow site
Kalamazoo residents are strongly opposing the potential conversion of a cannabis facility into a data center, despite no formal proposals being submitted. The city confirmed the site is properly zoned for a data center, while nearby townships have enacted moratoriums to study the issue. This local debate coincides with state-level discussions and proposed legislation regarding data center permitting.
Residents of Kalamazoo, Michigan, particularly from the Milwood neighborhood, have voiced strong opposition to a potential data center development in a southeast Kalamazoo industrial park. The property, currently owned by cannabis operation Harbor Farmz on Full Circle Drive, is up for sale and advertised as suitable for a data center, triggering community concerns and threats of commissioner recalls.
Kalamazoo city officials, including Vice Mayor Drew Duncan and spokesman Mike Smith, confirm that while no formal proposals have been received, city planning officials in March confirmed the site is appropriately zoned for a data center. Local programmer David Knewtson expressed general dislike for AI but noted this potential facility would likely be smaller than large-scale data centers.
Broader regional action includes Kalamazoo County scheduling a panel discussion on data centers and battery storage facilities at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Texas Township on June 25th. Furthermore, Oshtemo and Pavillion townships, along with the city of Portage, have enacted moratoriums or "time-outs" to study the issue before considering new permits. This local activity occurs as the state of Michigan defends a plan in court to centralize permitting power for such facilities with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and bipartisan legislation is proposed in Lansing to slow down data center development.