Massive data center approved in Van Buren Township
Van Buren Township approved a 230-acre data center project known as Project Cannoli, which Google plans to build near east Haggerty Road. The Wayne County Commission then voted 13-0 to override Executive Warren Evans’ veto of tax incentives, despite community opposition and concerns about the project’s electricity and water use.
Van Buren Township approved Google’s proposed Project Cannoli data center by a 5-2 vote. The 230-acre facility, planned north of Interstate 94 between Haggerty Road and I-275, is expected to become Michigan’s largest data center and operate with about one gigawatt of electricity while using 2 million to 3 million gallons of water daily.
The Wayne County Commission voted unanimously to override Executive Warren Evans’ veto of tax incentives for the project. Commissioners said the vote addressed the tax breaks rather than separately approving construction. Supporters cited potential union jobs, existing zoning and infrastructure, while opponents raised concerns about the project’s scale and resource demands. Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara said the facility’s water use could help reduce municipal water rates.