Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you anti-technology?
No. We support tech growth that fits our infrastructure, budget, and master plans.
Will a data center lower my bill?
Not likely. Utilities must recover new grid costs; Michigan law forbids special subsidized rates for enterprise data centers, but large loads can still lead to system upgrades that all customers ultimately support if not carefully structured.
Won’t schools and services get “millions”?
Michigan’s sales/use tax exemptions cut revenue that normally supports state and local funds. Local property tax abatements (if granted) can halve the tax base from a site for years. Communities must require a public, net-benefit fiscal analysis—not promises.
Is this decided?
No. Rezoning and text amendments must go through public meetings, hearings, and votes. Your voice matters.
We agree that private property rights are important.
But when a land use change could affect our shared resources - like groundwater, roads, noise levels, or public services - it becomes a community decision, not just a private one.
Zoning laws exist to balance individual rights with community responsibilities. Every property owner plays by these same rules. Farmers can’t build an airport in a residential area, and homeowners can’t open a quarry next door to a school. These limits protect everyone’s safety, property values, and quality of life.
Hyperscale data centers aren’t small, private uses. They require massive infrastructure upgrades, constant water and power, and can change the character of surrounding neighborhoods and farmland. When a developer requests to rezone agricultural or residential land for heavy industrial use, that’s asking the public for permission — and the public has the right to ask questions and expect transparency.
This isn’t about telling someone what to do with their land.
It’s about making sure one project doesn’t permanently harm the land, water, and community we all share.