Dowagiac residents gather to discuss Hyperscale Data Center lawsuit

DOWAGIAC, Mich. (WSBT) — A growing legal fight over the Hyperscale Data Center is drawing a crowd in Dowagiac on Tuesday. Residents gathered at the Dowagiac Public Library to learn more about a Class Action Lawsuit challenging the project and what it could mean for the community. "If you go there right now, you could feel it in your chest. It'll ruin your nervous system," said Paula Boyl, attendee. That constant humming you hear is coming from the Hyperscale Data Center in Dowagiac. Now, the facility is at the center of a class action lawsuit filed in May, alleging the around-the-clock noise is disrupting daily life for nearby residents and hurting property values. Residents told WSBT22 the persistent sound has taken a toll on their quality of life. "Some days it's very loud, and it just intensifies to where it feels like your body is vibrate. I think my headaches are probably worse from it. It has been loud enough that I go inside, but I can still hear it in my dining hall," said Glenda Phillips, Dowagac resident. Attorneys leading the case hosted a public meeting on Tuesday, updating residents on where the lawsuit stands, what they can do to help and their effort to seek compensation for the alleged damages. "The noise is horrific. And essentially, our lawsuit is trying to get compensation for people because they are not allowed to use or enjoy their properties in the way that they should be because of the noise," said Laura Sheets, attorney. According to attorneys, roughly 1,300 homes within a mile of the site could be impacted. That comes as the data center recently announced it has acquired another 50 acres for future expansion. One lifelong neighborhood resident, who lives just two blocks away, told WSBT22 the constant hum has disrupted his daily life. "I don't go out as much to do anything outside other than mow the yard. Cause it's just not comfortable. All this noise gets louder and louder, and it ain't gonna stop," said Robert Middleton, Dowagaic resident. The Hyperscale data center company has received the complaint, and their response is due by July 24th. https://wsbt.com/news/local/meeting-addresses-hyperscale-data-center-lawsuit-in-dowagiac-public-library-challenge-project-community-impact-residents-homes-acres-facility-east-prairie-ronde-street-open-house-dowagiac-michigan _________________ Stay up to date by following our social media: WSBT 22 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSBTNews WSBT 22 on X: https://twitter.com/WSBT WSBT 22 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsbt/ For more information, visit https://wsbt.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to our newsroom: wsbtnews@wsbt.com WSBT is an IN based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.