New poll reveals majority of Michiganders oppose Data Centers
A new EPIC-MRA poll reveals that 62% of Michigan voters oppose data center development, with 50% strongly opposing. The opposition is bipartisan and extends to federal tax incentives. Residents in Coldwater raised environmental concerns about water and electricity consumption, which could increase utility bills.
A recent EPIC-MRA poll indicates significant opposition to data center development across Michigan, with 62% of voters expressing disapproval and 50% strongly opposing such facilities. This sentiment is bipartisan, drawing resistance from 68% of Democrats, 63% of independents, and 56% of Republicans.
The survey also revealed that 73% of Michigan voters oppose federal tax incentives for data center projects, a figure that EPIC-MRA president Bernie Porn described as a "flashing red sign to policymakers."
Local concerns were highlighted during an informational meeting in Coldwater, Michigan, where residents voiced serious environmental and economic worries, including immense water consumption, massive electricity demands, and potential spikes in residential utility bills. The issue has also garnered federal attention, with former President Donald Trump arguing that communities rejecting data centers risk becoming "backwards and poor," contrasting with an electorate increasingly wary of the AI-driven infrastructure boom.