Manistee Township joins neighboring townships in pausing data centers
Manistee Township officials unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers during an August 14 board meeting. The board adopted Ordinance 2026-01 to establish this temporary pause, citing potential negative impacts on public health, safety, and welfare. The moratorium allows the board to review and study concerns and regulations related to data centers.
Manistee Township officials have unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers, joining neighboring communities in pausing such developments. During an August 14 board meeting, the Manistee Township Board adopted Ordinance 2026-01, establishing the temporary moratorium with the possibility of an extension.
The board did not disclose whether any specific data center projects had approached them. However, a draft of the ordinance stated that "the approval of data centers may result in or produce negative impacts on permitted land uses and development and may harm the public health, safety and general welfare of property owners and residents of the Township."
The ordinance describes the temporary pause as "reasonable and necessary" and in the public interest, allowing the board to review and study public health, safety, and welfare concerns regarding data centers and any relevant Township regulations.