Data center opponents rally outside Dorr Twp seminar
More than 50 residents rallied outside a Dorr Township seminar for municipal officials on large-scale data centers, protesting Microsoft's potential development and expressing concerns about water and electricity usage. The protest occurred as the township's 12-month moratorium on data center development remains in effect.
Dorr Township, Michigan, was the site of a protest Monday as over 50 residents gathered outside Dorr Township Hall. The demonstration coincided with an invitation-only seminar for municipal officials from across West Michigan, organized by Professional Code Inspections, regarding large-scale data centers.
Many protesters were members of Dorr Township MI, We the People, an organization actively opposing a potential data center development by Microsoft. Microsoft purchased nearly 272 acres in Dorr Township in 2024 for over $48 million, with approximately 128 acres potentially allocated for a data center campus. Despite the property being zoned for commercial and industrial use, Microsoft has not yet submitted a finalized development plan.
Residents like Linda Dumond, a leader with We the People, voiced concerns about the seminar's private nature and the lack of public access. Key worries revolve around the significant water demands of data centers, especially as Dorr Township lacks municipal water and sewer services, relying on groundwater and private wells. Other concerns include electrical demand, noise, traffic, farmland loss, and the potential alteration of the township's rural character.
In early March, the Dorr Township Board enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center development, giving officials time to study the issue and consider new zoning regulations. This move reflects a broader trend in Michigan, where communities like Gaines, Lowell, and Solon townships are also grappling with data center proposals and associated public opposition.