Data Center Signal is tracking 6 clips about Verrus data center developments across 1 states, including MI.
Residents in Lyon Township, Michigan, are actively opposing Project Flex, a proposed data center developed by Verrus. During a planning commission meeting, residents voiced strong objections to the project. Verrus has asserted that the project meets all zoning and township codes and has threatened legal action if its approval is further delayed.
Lyon Township residents are actively opposing a proposed 1.8 million-square-foot data center by Verrus, known as Project Flex, despite its approval by the Planning Commission in September 2025. Verrus has threatened legal action if the project faces further delays, while State Sen. Jim Runestad, a vocal opponent, has proposed a one-year statewide moratorium on data centers.
A community organization called No Data Center Lyon Township has successfully had recall petition language approved for the Lyon Township Board of Trustees. This action follows the conditional approval of Project Flex, a hyperscale data center project by Walbridge and Verrus on behalf of Anthropic, which residents oppose due to environmental, infrastructure, and safety concerns. Board members state they could not vote on the project as it was a permitted use approved by the Planning Commission.
Anthropic, the maker of Claude AI, is reportedly in talks for a hyperscale data center in Southeast Michigan. This potential development follows Google's proposed 1-gigawatt data center in Van Buren Township and OpenAI's involvement with Oracle's facility in Saline Township, indicating a trend of AI companies seeking large data center presences in the region. The article also features a rendering of the proposed Verrus data center project in Lyon Township.
Members of the "No Data Center in Lyon Township" group are seeking the recall of all seven Lyon Township Board of Trustees members. Recall petitions have been filed with the Oakland County Election Commission, which will hold a clarity hearing on the petition language on April 6. Residents are upset over the board's alleged lack of transparency regarding the "Project Flex" data center approval and a proposed tax abatement policy.
Residents of Lyon Township, Michigan are protesting a planned data center project by the California-based company Verrus. Local officials and the company held a study meeting to discuss the project, but residents continue to show strong opposition.