Forsyth Township holds town hall on data centers and military presence
Forsyth Township hosted a town hall to address community concerns about potential data center developments and a new military presence. The township recently enacted a year-long moratorium on data center construction to allow time for drafting a specific zoning ordinance. Residents expressed significant opposition regarding water use, noise, and energy costs, while some advocated for the economic benefits.
Forsyth Township and West Branch townships, along with Marquette County, held a town hall meeting at K.I. Sawyer Elementary School to address community concerns regarding potential data center developments and a proposed new military presence at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base.
The rumors about data centers, fueled by social media and businessman Barry Bahrman's Aeris Energy website promoting Marquette County for hyperscale facilities, led Forsyth Township to implement a year-long moratorium on data center construction. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the township time to develop a comprehensive data center-specific zoning ordinance, similar to one enacted in Negaunee. Township zoning administrator Crystal Carter noted that the ordinance would address environmental concerns such as water and sound, as well as establishing sensitivity zones near schools and daycares.
Most attendees at the town hall voiced strong opposition to data centers, citing concerns over water consumption, energy costs, noise and light pollution, and potential impacts on local labor and site remediation. However, Barry Bahrman and his wife, Michelle Bahrman, spoke in favor of data centers, emphasizing job creation and tax revenue, though their comments were met with skepticism and some heated debate from the audience. State Representative Karl Bohnak, R-Deerton, also attended and indicated he would support a statewide moratorium on data centers if sufficient constituent support emerged, while also advocating for local control over such developments.
Discussions also touched upon Michigan's ban on exclusionary zoning, which currently prevents outright bans on lawful land uses like data centers. Township officials are planning to attend a Michigan Townships Association training session on drafting data center ordinances, with multiple opportunities for public input before any ordinance is passed. The meeting also clarified that the Selfridge Air National Guard Base would use Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport for aircraft storage during runway repaving, and that the Pentagon is exploring a potential long-term military presence at the former base.