Mason data center proposal would more than double city's tax revenue
The city of Mason, Michigan, is considering a data center proposal that could significantly boost its tax revenue, drawing both financial support and strong opposition from residents. The City Council recently rejected a stricter zoning proposal advocated by opponents, while city officials highlight the project's economic benefits and minimized environmental impacts like water usage.
A proposed data center development in Mason, Michigan, promises to more than double the city's annual property tax revenue, bringing in an estimated $7.6 million from a minimum $1 billion investment. Mason City Manager Deborah Stuart highlighted the financial benefits, including a potential reduction in property taxes for residents and bond costs, during a recent City Council meeting. Stuart also stated that the city is not providing tax exemptions and does not yet know the end user of the facility.
Despite the economic prospects, the proposal faces significant community opposition, with many residents speaking out against data centers at the council meeting. Opponents have also launched a recall effort against Mayor Russell Whipple and Councilmember Elaine Ferris. Whipple and Stuart noted that much of the opposition originates from outside the city.
The City Council recently rejected a stricter zoning proposal put forward by data center opponents, citing structural and legal issues. Mason previously established and then repealed zoning requirements for data centers due to public outcry. However, Stuart confirmed the developer has agreed to follow the more stringent, previously repealed noise limits and implement a closed-loop cooling system, limiting daily water usage to less than 40,000 gallons, which the city believes is manageable within its existing system.