University of Michigan buys possible data center site on Huron River, informs Ypsilanti Township supervisor via text

The University of Michigan has informed Ypsilanti Township officials that it acquired 124 acres of land on the Huron River, which is being considered as a site for its proposed $1.2-billion data center project in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory. Chris Kolb, U of M's vice president for government relations, communicated the purchase via text message to Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo, clarifying that the Textile Road site is still under consideration alongside the Willow Run complex. Ypsilanti Township officials, including attorney Doug Winters, have voiced strong objections to the project, passing a resolution in August to oppose the Huron River location due to "environmental concerns, health concerns, safety concerns and noise concerns." They contend that the university misled them and failed to engage in discussions regarding an alternate site. Residents are also concerned about increased power bills, environmental impacts, and the lack of community benefits from the tax-exempt public university project. State Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) has introduced legislation to rescind a $100-million grant for the project from the Michigan Strategic Fund and Michigan Economic Development Corp. Notably, as a public university, the University of Michigan is exempt from local zoning requirements, meaning the data center project does not require township approval. The project leader, Steven Ceccio, stated the facility's maximum energy use would be 110 megawatts and it could use up to 500,000 gallons of water per day. Critics also highlight Los Alamos National Laboratory's involvement in nuclear weapons research and concerns about the project's proximity to the lower-income, environmentally vulnerable West Willow neighborhood, leading nearly 900 U of M employees, faculty, and students to petition for the project's cancellation.