Lowell Township recall petitions over Microsoft data center push head to ballot
Lowell Township residents have filed recall petitions targeting three elected officials amid opposition to Microsoft's proposed data center at Covenant Business Park. A special recall election is scheduled for May 4, 2027, with residents citing concerns about water and electricity use, environmental impacts and local officials' handling of the project.
Recall petitions targeting Lowell Charter Township Supervisor Jerry Hale and Trustees Mark Anderson and William Thompson will appear on a special-election ballot scheduled for May 4, 2027. The effort follows residents' opposition to Microsoft's proposed data center at the 237-acre Covenant Business Park near I-96 and Cascade Road Southeast.
The Lowell Township Recall organization says township officials have made decisions behind closed doors and failed to represent residents. Opponents are particularly concerned about the facility's potential water and electricity consumption and broader environmental effects. The election notice was sent to Township Clerk Monica Burtt by Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons.