Ypsilanti Township Faces Data Center Dilemma: Green Fields or Concrete?

In Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, a big decision is looming. Two spots are on the table for a new data center. One is an old GM plant site, all gray and concrete. The other is a lush, green area near the Huron River. The town's leaders are leaning towards the concrete option. But not everyone is on board. At a recent meeting, locals raised serious concerns. They worry about the environment, their health, and even national security. Questions poured in about power lines, the nearby Ford Lake dam, and how utility companies might influence politics. The project, backed by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a big deal. It's a $1. 2 billion plan for scientific research and innovation. But some folks just call it a data center.Township officials are in the dark, too. They've been left out of key talks with university and utility leaders. And they admit, they don't have all the answers yet. Especially when it comes to health risks. As one rep put it, "We just don’t know enough. " Despite the uncertainty, residents found the meeting helpful. It brought all the info together in one place. Some even started digging into potential endangered species near the green site. The meeting also showed a growing unity among locals against the project. The university plans to host its own meeting soon. They say they're committed to open dialogue. But for now, the township is pushing for the GM plant site. And some residents hope the project will just go away.