Wayne County Commission to revisit Van Buren Township data center tax breaks after veto
The Wayne County Commission plans to revisit $125 million in tax incentives for Google’s proposed Project Cannoli data center in Van Buren Township after County Executive Warren Evans vetoed the agreement. The commission could override the veto at its Oct. 1 meeting, while the township’s planning commission is expected to vote on final site approval in October.
The Wayne County Commission is scheduled to reconsider a package of $125 million in local tax incentives for Google’s planned 282-acre hyperscale data center in Van Buren Township. County Executive Warren Evans vetoed the agreement, arguing that the approval process was rushed and lacked an independent analysis and adequate public input. A two-thirds vote of the 10-member commission would be required to override him.
Van Buren Township approved the incentives in May, and the county commission approved them Sept. 15. The agreement includes requirements covering noise reduction, landscaping and water use, while township officials say the tax benefits could be revoked if Google fails to meet the terms. The township planning commission has not yet approved the project’s final site plan but is expected to vote in October.