Push back against data center expansion in rural Southwest Michigan
Hyperscale Data, an AI and bitcoin company, announced plans to expand its data center campus in Dowagiac, Michigan, by over 48 acres, increasing its capacity from 30 MW to 340 MW. Residents are pushing back against the expansion due to existing noise pollution and lack of communication from the company. The Dowagiac City Council recently amended its noise ordinance in response to these concerns.
Hyperscale Data, an artificial intelligence and bitcoin company, has announced significant expansion plans for its data center campus in Southwest Michigan. The company expects to more than double its current operation, adding over 48 acres of land to support cloud computing needs, citing an exploding demand for AI. The expansion would increase the site's power capacity from 30 megawatts to 340 megawatts, which is the equivalent power consumption of tens of thousands of homes.
The announcement, made via press release, reportedly blindsided Dowagiac City Manager Kevin Anderson, who stated that the city had no prior contact with Hyperscale Data regarding the land acquisition or development proposals. Anderson indicated that formal development plans would typically follow the closing of property deals, at which point the city would receive necessary filings for tax and utility purposes. News Channel 3 attempted to contact Hyperscale Data for answers but received an automated response.
Local residents, including Terry Raab and Jerry Dodd, have voiced strong opposition, primarily due to persistent noise pollution from the existing facility. Raab expressed concerns about the noise making it impossible to open windows in the summer and its potential negative impact on property values and water bills. Dodd, a long-time resident, suggested the company install a sound-reducing wall and lamented the constant 24-hour noise. In response to these community concerns, the Dowagiac City Council recently amended its noise ordinance, setting specific maximum decibel levels for businesses near residential areas during day and night hours. Residents are seeking more transparency and communication from the company and local authorities regarding the expansion's implications.