Flint City Council passes 12-month moratorium on data centers
The Flint City Council has approved a 12-month moratorium on data center developments following an hour of public opposition. During this period, the city will conduct an independent review of the potential risks and benefits associated with such facilities.
The Flint City Council, in a 7-1 vote on June 8, 2026, enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center developments within the city. The decision came after more than an hour of public comment, with over 20 residents expressing strong opposition to potential data center projects, citing concerns about environmental and public health risks.
Flint City Council President Candice Mushatt, who introduced the resolution, emphasized the council's responsibility to conduct due diligence for large-scale developments, drawing parallels to the Flint Water Crisis. She successfully amended the resolution to include a call for an independent investigation into the drawbacks and benefits of data center development during the moratorium period.
4th Ward Councilwoman Judy Priestley cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that a moratorium was unwarranted given only "vague interest" in a data center at the former Buick City site. Priestley suggested a shorter, three-month moratorium would be more appropriate and expressed concern that the ban could stifle future discussions about developing industrial sites.