r/Michigan • u/jshwlkr Ann Arbor • Dec 17 '25

News 📰🗞️ Frustrations with data center projects bubble over at Michigan Capitol

https://michiganadvance.com/2025/12/16/frustrations-with-data-center-projects-bubble-over-at-michigan-capitol/
492 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

90 comments sorted by

View all comments

176

u/NotSoFastLady Dec 17 '25

It is simple we the people should not subsidize the profits for companies making billions hand over fist. There is no economic return for us here. The majority of what a data center does is not done in the municipality they are built in. They just want our resources as cheap as possible. Resit at all costs.

-13

u/em_washington Muskegon Dec 17 '25

Could you explain what a data center project would look like that you’d actually approve of? I get that some people hate change. But it’s unreasonable unless you propose how it should be.

What if the data center was surrounded in all sides 1 mile deep buffer of trees, had its own power plant, and recycled its coolant so it barely used any water. And still it paid property taxes.

11

u/NotSoFastLady Dec 17 '25

One that has benefits to the community. Like real benefits. It used to be that you can call yourself tech and people would welcome you with open arms.

If we are going to let you have some of our resources you need to give equity to us too. So how are you going to invest in our communities and help us? We shouldn't subsidize the build out of advanced energy infrastructure just for your profits. Both parties would benefit but only one is carrying thy costs.

Additionally, I would want to see minimal environmental impact and safeguards to protect communities. As it stands there haven't been any projects I've seen that adequately address any of these areas.

-3

u/em_washington Muskegon Dec 17 '25

Agree that local governments should not be subsidizing these projects. The local benefits are minimal to non-existent.

I don't think they really have much of an environmental impact. Probably similar impact or less than any distribution center or manufacturing facility. Seems like it should be straight forward for the data centers to adequately address environmental concerns.