Michigan's Data Center Boom: OpenAI's Stargate, 16 Sites, and a High-Stakes Fight Over Energy and Jobs

Michigan's 2025 data center wave: what real estate and construction teams need to know

Michigan logged interest in at least 16 data center sites across 10 counties this year. Some are moving dirt, others are stuck in rezoning, and a handful are on ice after public pushback.

If you develop, build, or finance large-footprint assets, this is your cue. These projects bring utility-scale power, multi-year schedules, and public scrutiny - plus long-term tax base and infrastructure work.

Key signals for deals, design, and delivery

• Footprints run from 12 to 1,000+ acres. Expect phased builds and multiple shells.
• Power is the chokepoint. Several proposals clock in at 1 GW+, with early utility contracting and interconnect queues deciding timelines. See regulatory context at the Michigan Public Service Commission.
• Entitlements are volatile: moratoria, ballot measures, and lawsuit settlements show up repeatedly. Community engagement isn't optional.
• Water and heat management matter. One project proposes district heat reuse - an angle worth evaluating alongside cooling design and permits. For energy/cooling fundamentals, the U.S. Department of Energy offers guidance: energy.gov.
• Schedule risk is real: substation builds, transmission upgrades, long-lead electrical gear, and road improvements can outrun core-and-shell timelines.

Project watchlist (status and notes)

• Saline Township, Washtenaw - "Stargate" (OpenAI/Oracle)
  Site prep underway on 250 acres within a 575-acre tract. Approval secured via lawsuit settlement; full construction planned for early 2026. DTE is pursuing fast-track power contracts for a 1.4 GW load.
• Howell Township, Livingston - Meta
  Rezoning request withdrawn Dec. 8 after local opposition and a six-month moratorium. Resubmittal unclear.
• Augusta Township, Washtenaw - Thor Equities
  About 522 acres rezoned within an 810-acre site west of Milan. A citizens' petition placed the rezoning on the ballot; vote expected in 2026.
• York Township, Washtenaw - Sansone Group
  Evaluating 412 acres owned by Toyota off Platt Road. No formal application; residents are asking for a moratorium.
• Ypsilanti Township, Washtenaw - UM/Los Alamos research facility
  $1.2B high-performance computing project. Township leaders oppose the proposed Textile Road location and pressed to pull a $100M state grant; UM says no site is finalized.
• Van Buren Township, Wayne - "Project Cannoli" (Panattoni Data Center Group)
  About 280 acres near Belleville with zoning that allows data centers. Estimated load around 1 GW.
• Lyon Township, Oakland - "Project Flex" (Verrus)
  1.8 million sq. ft. across a 172-acre Walbridge parcel. Planning Commission granted conditional site plan approval in September.
• Southfield, Oakland - Metrobloks
  Roughly 110,000 sq. ft. on 12 acres near Inkster and 11 Mile. Expected draw: 100 MW. Site plan approved Dec. 15.
• Gaines Township, Kent - Microsoft
  Rezoning requested on part of a 316-acre former Steelcase property at Patterson and 76th. Public hearing set for Dec. 18; plans not finalized.
• Dorr Township, Allegan - Microsoft
  About 272 acres along U.S. 131 acquired in 2024. Potential data center site; no formal plans announced.
• Lowell Township, Kent - Franklin Partners
  235 acres eyed for a data center reportedly up to $1B. Rezoning under consideration; public hearing slated for Jan. 12. Tenant unnamed, described as one of the 10 largest U.S.-based companies.
• Pavilion Township, Kalamazoo - Franklin Partners
  265 acres in the industrial district near N Avenue and 26th Street. Request to amend rules withdrawn after community backlash; on hold.
• Lansing, Ingham - Deep Green
  $120M, 24 MW downtown project proposed on city lots. Would supply heat to nearby buildings via the municipal utility. Property sale and rezoning votes expected in early 2026.
• Frenchtown Township, Monroe - "Project Cherry Blossom" (Cloverleaf)
  200 acres at a former golf course near I-75 and North Dixie Highway. Early-stage outreach underway.
• Dundee Township, Monroe - "Project Ironwood" (Cloverleaf)
  350-acre site north of the village near Ann Arbor and Day roads. Discussions active; township adopted a temporary moratorium.
• Kalkaska County - Rocklocker, LLC
  Concept dropped after public pushback. No private-land pursuit planned.

What matters most for teams pursuing this work

• Power first: Lock in substation plans, interconnect milestones, and utility contracts before vertical commitments.
• Entitlements strategy: Map moratoria risk, referendum timelines, and litigation exposure; budget for community benefits.
• Phasing and sitework: Pre-grade and backbone infrastructure enable faster shell turnover while long-lead electrical gear arrives.
• Cooling and water: Align with local permits early and explore heat reuse or dry cooling where practical.
• Roads and logistics: Coordinate heavy-haul routes, transformer delivery, and construction laydown well ahead of mobilization.
• Workforce and safety: Secure experienced MEP subs, QA/QC protocols, and 24/7 sequencing plans that control rework.

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