We didn’t stop the assembly line — why stop data centers? | Opinion

Mike Brownfield, vice president of communications and strategy at the Goldwater Institute and former staffer in the Michigan governor's office, penned an opinion piece for the Monroe Evening News advocating for data center development in Michigan. Brownfield acknowledged public concerns regarding data centers' impact on electric bills and water resources, noting that at least 19 communities statewide have either passed or proposed moratoriums. He further highlighted that state legislators are considering bills to pause new projects until 2027, and cities like Detroit and Kalkaska County are actively weighing or have already implemented restrictions. Brownfield, however, countered these sentiments by drawing parallels to historical resistance against industries like auto manufacturing, which ultimately spurred significant economic development in Michigan. He asserted that data centers are critical modern infrastructure, offering substantial economic benefits such as job creation and investment in high-speed fiber-optic internet, as well as upgrades to water and electric systems, often without increasing residential rates. He cited the Switch data center in Grand Rapids for its contributions to fiber connectivity and a proposed Google data center in Van Buren Township, which includes a 20-year agreement with DTE Energy to fund its power needs and add 2.7 gigawatts to the grid, projecting $1.7 billion in long-term benefits. Brownfield also referenced a halted data center project in Benton Harbor that could have stabilized the city's struggling water system and noted Loudoun County, Virginia, where data centers contribute a third of the county's tax revenue. He concluded that opposition is often based on misconceptions, pointing out that data centers consume less than 1% of US freshwater withdrawals, and urged Michigan to pursue "smart, responsible growth" over "fear-driven inaction" to secure its future economic prosperity.