January 25, 2026
Bottom Line Up Front
The pattern is clear: community resistance is growing, but data centers are getting approved anyway. Lyon Township drew 200+ residents to an expert-led forum warning about infrastructure risks—the project is already conditionally approved. Columbiana, Alabama exposed a secret NDA between their former mayor and a developer—the project is already approved and operating. Van Buren Township delayed a vote to February 11 after protests—the project is on permitted-by-right industrial land. Wisconsin’s Mount Pleasant just approved 15 more Microsoft data centers worth $13 billion with minimal discussion while Michigan communities fight tooth-and-nail for transparency. Meanwhile, Texas demonstrates the national scale: 400 data centers planned/operating with power load requests jumping from 56 GW to 205 GW in one year—experts warn many projects are speculative and may never materialize, but consumers will pay for infrastructure built to accommodate them. The disconnect: organized opposition is getting more sophisticated, but approval processes favor developers who exploit industrial zoning to bypass public input. Great Lakes water levels fell below average for the first time in a decade while Michigan approves facilities demanding millions of gallons daily. Tech layoffs hit 5,285 in the first 24 days of 2026 while infrastructure spending accelerates.
THIS WEEK’S INTELLIGENCE
Infrastructure Developments
Lyon Township: 200+ Residents Attend Expert Warning Forum, Project Already Conditionally Approved
Over 200 Lyon Township residents attended a Thursday, January 22 public meeting where experts warned about risks of the planned 1.8-million-square-foot Verrus/Alphabet data center (Project Flex).
What Experts Told the Community:
Panelists organized by “No Data Centers in Lyon Township” warned:
- Massive energy and water consumption comparable to “adding a new New York City”
- Data centers provide few permanent jobs relative to infrastructure burden
- Risk of technological obsolescence (experts warned centralized data center infrastructure may become obsolete as AI inference moves to distributed/edge computing)
Current Status:
The Lyon Township Planning Commission granted conditional approval September 8, 2025. Final approval hinges on:
- Independent review of sound study
- Energy audit completion
Township issued January 8 statement: “The Planning Commission may be revisiting the site plan approval for Project Flex to ensure that the required conditions and concerns have been appropriately and thoroughly addressed.”
Developer Response:
Jeff Bladen (Head of Energy, Verrus) told residents the facility would be “more efficient than traditional data centers” at a separate meeting January 21.
Community Organizing Timeline:
- January 5: Township board meeting packed with residents opposing project (2+ hours of testimony)
- January 12: Planning meeting drew 125 residents, many with “No Data Center” yard signs
- January 22: Expert-led forum with 200+ attendees
- January 27, 7:15 PM: Another public meeting scheduled at South Lyon East High School auditorium
The Pattern: Lyon Township followed standard playbook—approved project using industrial zoning without public hearings, then held informational meetings after approval when community organized. Township now “may be revisiting” after sustained pressure.
Sources: WDIV Local 4 (Jan 21), Planet Detroit (Jan 12, Jan 17), The Oakland Press (Jan 6), Michigan Public Radio (Jan 22)
Wisconsin: Microsoft Gets 15 More Data Centers Approved, Minimal Opposition
Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin’s planning commission unanimously approved Microsoft’s plans for 15 additional data centers across two new campuses January 22, bringing Microsoft’s total Wisconsin investment above $13 billion.
Scale:
- 15 data centers across two campuses
- Nearly 9 million square feet of new buildings
- $13+ billion total investment (on top of existing $7B commitment)
- Land already zoned industrial, purchased in 2024
Community Response:
Mount Pleasant Trustee Ram Bhatia: “We have built the infrastructure, you know, for the Foxconn, I guess most of the concern that I believe our community had were addressed at that time.”
Resident Alfonso Gardner (supportive): “They’re the third largest company in the whole world, trillions and trillions of dollars. They can bring some of that here to help.”
Planning Commission Meeting: Passed unanimously “with little discussion” according to WISN coverage.
The Stark Contrast:
While Michigan townships battle developers for months (Saline lawsuit, Allen Park protests, Lyon opposition), Wisconsin approved 15 massive data centers in a single meeting with minimal debate.
Infrastructure Context:
Microsoft’s first Wisconsin data center (Fairwater) scheduled to come online “early 2026” after $3.3B investment. Company employs “more than 3,000 construction workers during peak activity” but long-term operational jobs remain uncertain.
Microsoft scrapped earlier plans to build in Caledonia (north of Mount Pleasant) after opposition there.
Sources: Wisconsin Public Radio (Jan 20), FOX6 Milwaukee (Jan 20), WISN (Jan 21), Spectrum News (Jan 21)
Columbiana, Alabama: Secret NDA Exposed, Heated Town Hall, Project Already Approved
A secretive non-disclosure agreement between Columbiana’s former mayor and a data center developer ignited controversy at a packed January 15 town hall where residents discovered the project is already approved and operating.
The NDA Scandal:
Former Mayor David Mitchell signed an undated NDA with DigiPowerX (subsidiary of Digihost Technology) without informing City Council or public. The agreement, obtained by Inside Climate News through public records request, prohibited Mitchell from disclosing any information the developer deemed confidential “whether in oral, written, graphic, electronic, or any other form.”
The Town Hall:
- 250 residents packed Grande Hall at Old Mill Square
- Meeting lasted nearly 2 hours
- Frustration centered on transparency, environmental impacts, noise, water use
- Many residents didn’t know project had already received business license and begun operations
Key Exchange:
Resident Cody Holliman: “It’s apparent that this was some behind-the-scenes bullshit. Is there anything that can be done to stop this?”
Mayor Lisa Davis (elected in August 2025, after NDA was signed): “I appreciate your comment. No.”
Holliman and half a dozen other residents walked out. One yelled from exit: “You can’t be transparent now. It’s already happening.”
The Project:
- 15-acre site on Industrial Parkway (former Grede Foundry, then bitcoin facility)
- Phase 1: 22MW capacity, $176M investment (completion Q2 2026)
- Phase 2: 33MW additional, $440M total investment (completion Q1 2027)
- Originally requested industrial water amounts; switched to glycol-based closed-loop cooling after new mayor said town couldn’t supply water
Economic Development NDA:
When asked if she or staff signed NDAs related to project, Amy Sturdivant (President/CEO, Shelby County economic development) said: “No comment.” Audience groaned in unison.
Campaign Finance:
Public records show Mitchell received $5,000 contribution July 11 from Digihost Technology Inc. (Houston, Texas).
Pattern Across Alabama:
One resident: “How many Columbianas will there be in the state of Alabama?” Multiple Alabama cities facing similar proposals with residents citing energy/water usage, noise, light pollution, rising electricity bills (Alabama already has highest in nation).
Sources: Inside Climate News (Jan 17), ABC 3340 (Jan 15), WBRC (Jan 15, Jan 16), EnviroLink Network (Jan 17), CBS42 (Jan 15), Shelby County Reporter (Jan 15)
DTE Accepts Conditions for Saline Township Data Center Power Contracts
DTE Energy accepted conditions from Michigan Public Service Commission for special contracts to power the massive Oracle/OpenAI Stargate data center in Saline Township.
Significance:
The 1.4-gigawatt facility would be Michigan’s largest, consuming more electricity than 1 million homes. MPSC fast-tracked regulatory approval December 18, 2025.
Attorney General Dana Nessel Response:
Nessel and others requested a rehearing of the fast-tracked approval. DTE reserved rights to challenge future commission decisions while confirming aggregate revenues will cover service costs.
Community Status:
Saline Township residents filed lawsuit challenging the $7B project approval. Settlement negotiations resulted in $14M in community concessions.
Source: Planet Detroit (Jan 17), MLive (Jan 16)
National Pattern: Texas Getting Swamped with Data Center Proposals
Texas has approximately 400 data centers planned or operating, with power load interconnection requests jumping from 56 GW to 205 GW in one year—nearly quadrupling. The scale dwarfs Michigan’s battles, showing this is a national infrastructure rush with similar community concerns.
Scale of Texas Buildout:
- Bloom Energy forecast: Texas could exceed 40 GW IT capacity by 2028—30% of anticipated US total, more than double current share
- Nearly 20 projects in Austin area alone
- 130 new gas-powered plants proposed to meet data center demand (climate pollution equivalent of 27 million cars if all built)
- Current Virginia lead: Northern Virginia currently holds 15% of global hyperscale capacity, but Texas expected to overtake within years
Major Texas Projects:
Stargate (Abilene): First two OpenAI/Oracle buildings already operational, six more expected mid-2026. Part of $500B, 10-gigawatt initiative with 5 additional sites announced across Texas, New Mexico, Ohio.
Data City (near Laredo): 50,000-acre project, 5 GW proposed capacity, 15 million square feet. Plans to be “fully self-powering and isolated from ERCOT” using natural gas transitioning to green hydrogen. First phase: 300 MW, 1M sq ft launching 2026.
HyperGrid (near Amarillo): $300 billion AI campus proposal, 18 million square feet, 11 GW IT capacity if built.
Fort Worth project: $2.1B investment, 107-acre site—only 37 permanent jobs despite massive capital commitment.
Community Concerns Mirror Michigan:
Power Grid Strain: ERCOT VP Kristi Hobbs told Public Utility Commission in October that increased data center demand “will require an adjustment of the planning processes to keep the grid reliable.” Summer peak demand concerns among residential consumers.
Electricity Cost Increases: EIA forecasts Texas ERCOT-North hub prices to surge 45% in 2026 due to high summer demand paired with limited supply. Texas currently 24% below national average for electricity prices—data center growth threatens this advantage.
Water Usage (Biggest Risk): No statewide system tracking data center water demand. Luke Metzger (Environment Texas): “The biggest uncertainty is water, as there is no central entity in the state that collects and compiles information on those needs.” Critical concern in drought-prone state.
Speculative Projects: Experts warn many proposed projects may never materialize. If infrastructure built to accommodate projects that don’t come to fruition, costs passed to consumers through higher rates.
Jobs Reality: Construction jobs real but temporary (Stargate Abilene: 1,500 workers during construction). Permanent operational staffing minimal despite billions in investment.
Policy Response:
Senate Bill 6 (signed June 2025): New requirements for data center projects including:
- Large-load interconnection standards (75 MW threshold)
- Upfront capital for transmission studies and interconnection fees
- Net-metering arrangements requiring PUCT approval
- Voluntary demand reduction program for large loads
- Transmission cost allocation review
Implementation ongoing through 2026 via five PUCT projects establishing frameworks for approvals, forecasting, allocation.
Pattern Comparison:
Texas offering faster approvals and “business-friendly environment” = rapid buildout with minimal community input. Michigan communities fighting for transparency and binding commitments. Wisconsin (Mount Pleasant) approving rapidly with infrastructure already built. Three different approaches, same fundamental questions: Who captures value? Who bears costs? Who decides?
Sources: FOX 7 Austin (Jan 10), The Register (Jan 20), Construction Connect (Sept 2025, Jan 5), Texas Tribune (Jan 19-20), RBN Energy (Sept 2025), Perkins Coie (SB 6 analysis), Construction Dive (Sept 2025)
Policy Developments
Great Lakes Water Levels Fall Below Average for First Time in Decade
Great Lakes water levels at the end of 2025 were below average for the first time in a decade, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—marking significant shift from record high levels that caused widespread shoreline erosion just six years ago.
Current Levels (January 16, 2026 forecast):
- Lake Superior: 601 feet (3 inches above last year, below long-term average)
- Lakes Michigan-Huron: 577 feet (7 inches lower than last year, below long-term average)
- Lake St. Clair: (4 inches lower than last year, below long-term average)
- Lake Erie: 570 feet (7 inches lower than last year, below long-term average)
- Lake Ontario: 244 feet (3 inches above last year, below long-term average)
Six-Month Outlook:
All Great Lakes likely to remain below long-term average through May 2026, though still 15-38 inches above record lows for January.
The Data Center Context:
Michigan is approving water-intensive data center facilities (Van Buren: 2-3.6 million gallons/day, Saline: millions/day) precisely when Great Lakes water levels fell below average for first time in decade.
Community Leverage Point:
Lower water levels strengthen arguments for:
- Mandatory closed-loop cooling systems
- Water consumption limits in approval conditions
- Environmental impact assessments before permits
Sources: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Weekly Update (Jan 16), WILX (Jan 9), NOAA GLERL
Employment Snapshot
Tech Layoffs Hit 5,285 in First 24 Days of 2026
2026 Year-to-Date (as of January 24):
- 28 layoffs at tech companies
- 5,285 people impacted
- 294 people per day average
2025 Total:
- 783 layoffs at tech companies
- 245,953 people impacted
- 674 people per day average
Major Announcements This Week:
Meta: Laying off 10% (approximately 1,500 employees) from Reality Labs division (total 15,000 employees). Meta employs 78,000 total. Company shifting investment from metaverse toward wearables and AI research.
Microsoft Rumored Cuts: Industry reports suggest 5-10% workforce reduction (11,000-22,000 roles) planned for third week of January. Targets: middle management, Azure teams, Xbox gaming, global sales. Microsoft cut 15,000+ in 2025 while spending $34.9B on AI infrastructure in Q1 FY2026 alone.
Amazon: Up to 30,000 layoffs through May 2026 (phased starting January 26). WARN notices filed across multiple states. CEO Andy Jassy linking cuts to “ROI realignment for AI investment” and building “leaner model.”
500,000 Tech Workers Since ChatGPT:
Tech workers laid off since ChatGPT release (late 2022): approximately 500,000. As Anil Dash noted: “They’ve been laid off by execs who now have AI to use as an excuse for going after workers they’ve wanted to cut all along.”
The Disconnect:
- Microsoft: 15 new data centers approved in Wisconsin ($13B) + 15,000+ layoffs in 2025
- Amazon: $100B planned AI infrastructure spending over next decade + 30,000 layoffs through May 2026
- Meta: Reality Labs cuts while increasing AI research spending
Infrastructure investment accelerates. Jobs disappear.
December 2025 Employment Data (released January 9):
- Nonfarm payroll: +50,000 jobs (weakest since 2020)
- Unemployment rate: 4.4% (unchanged)
- Long-term unemployed (27+ weeks): 1.9 million (up 397,000 over the year)
Sources: TrueUp Layoffs Tracker, InformationWeek, Anil Dash, The HR Digest, SF Gate, TipRanks, BLS Employment Situation
MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE TRACKER
| Project | Location | Status | Power | Investment | Claimed Jobs | Cost Per Job | Tax Subsidies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stargate (Oracle/OpenAI) | Saline Township | Approved, lawsuit filed, settlement negotiations | 1.4 GW | $7B+ | 1,950 permanent, 2,500 construction | TBD | $14M community concessions |
| Project Flex (Verrus/Alphabet) | Lyon Township | Conditionally approved Sept 2025, community organizing | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Project Cannoli (Panattoni) | Van Buren Township | Vote delayed to Feb 11 | 1 GW | Unknown | “Very little to local economy” per residents | Unknown | Unknown |
| Microsoft/OpenAI | Southfield | Operating | 100 MW | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Microsoft Wisconsin | Mount Pleasant | First campus opening early 2026, 15 more approved Jan 22 | Unknown | $13B+ (total) | 800+ claimed for first campus | Unknown | TID No. 5 tax increment financing |
Pattern: Projects exploit industrial zoning for “permitted by right” status, bypassing public hearings. Opposition grows more sophisticated (expert forums, legal challenges, organized protests) but approvals proceed.
WHAT TO WATCH
Next 30 Days
January 27, 7:15 PM – Lyon Township public meeting, South Lyon East High School auditorium. Developer presenting, community questions being collected through February 8.
February 6 – BLS employment report for January 2026
February 11 – Van Buren Township Planning Commission meeting. Panattoni expected to present 1-gigawatt Project Cannoli. Community has 1,300+ petition signatures opposing.
Third week of January (Jan 20-24) – Microsoft layoffs rumored, though unconfirmed
February 23, 2026 – Microsoft’s stricter return-to-office policy takes effect (3 days/week for employees within 50 miles of office)
Longer-Term (Q1 2026)
Saline Township settlement monitoring – $14M in community concessions. Are promises being kept?
Lyon Township “revisiting” decision – Will sustained community pressure force actual reconsideration of conditional approval?
Wisconsin model spreading? – Will other states follow Mount Pleasant’s rapid-approval approach or Michigan’s contentious battles?
Water levels through May 2026 – Army Corps forecasts all lakes below average. Do communities leverage this for stronger permit conditions?
Tech layoffs acceleration – Will rumored Microsoft, Amazon cuts materialize? What’s the cumulative 2026 number?
DATA YOU CAN USE
Approval Speed Comparison
| Location | Project Size | Public Process | Approval Timeline | Community Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, WI | 15 data centers, $13B | Single planning commission meeting | Approved in one meeting (Jan 22) | Minimal organized opposition |
| Lyon Township, MI | 1.8M sq ft | No public hearings (industrial zoning) | Conditional approval Sept 2025 | 200+ at expert forum, meetings ongoing |
| Saline Township, MI | 2.2M sq ft, $7B | Fast-tracked MPSC approval | Approved, now in lawsuit | Lawsuit filed, $14M settlement |
| Columbiana, AL | 15 acres, $440M total | Former mayor signed NDA, no public input | Approved before new mayor took office | 250 at heated town hall, project already operating |
Pattern: Industrial zoning = “permitted by right” = minimal public process = approvals despite opposition.
Water Context: Data Centers vs. Great Lakes Levels
Requested Water Usage:
- Van Buren Township (Panattoni): 2-3.6 million gallons/day (open loop cooling)
- Saline Township (Oracle/OpenAI): Millions/day (closed-loop committed after negotiation)
Great Lakes Status:
- Below long-term average for first time in decade
- Forecasted to remain below average through May 2026
- 4 of 5 lakes below average as of January 2026
Community Leverage: Low water levels = stronger negotiating position for closed-loop requirements, consumption limits, environmental reviews.
COMMUNITY NEGOTIATION TOOLKIT
Questions to Ask Developers
Financial Stability:
- Who are your equity partners? (Can they withdraw like Blue Owl did from Saline?)
- What’s your debt-to-equity ratio?
- Show us binding financial commitments, not just announcements
Water:
- What’s your EXACT daily water consumption? (Get number, not “minimal” or “efficient”)
- Open-loop or closed-loop cooling? (Open-loop = millions of gallons/day)
- What happens during drought? Who gets priority: residents or data center?
- Will you commit to closed-loop in writing with financial penalties?
Power:
- What percentage of regional grid capacity will you consume?
- Who pays for grid upgrades? (Get DTE/utility letter confirming, like Van Buren did)
- What happens during power shortages? Rolling blackouts for residents?
Employment:
- How many PERMANENT jobs? (Not construction, not “up to”)
- What’s your definition of “local hire”? (50-mile radius? State residents?)
- Will you commit to job numbers in writing with financial penalties if you miss?
- Show us your operational staffing at similar facilities
Transparency:
- Who signed NDAs? (City officials, economic development staff, consultants?)
- Release all agreements, site plans, environmental studies publicly
- Will you commit to NO MORE NDAs going forward?
Legal Protections:
- What binding commitments will you make? (Not “goals” or “targets”)
- What financial penalties if you don’t deliver promised jobs, water limits, noise controls?
- Will you agree to performance bonds held in escrow until promises verified?
- Clawback provisions: If promised jobs don’t materialize, tax subsidies and concessions reversed with interest
- Milestone-based incentives: Tax breaks phase in only as job/investment commitments verified annually
- Community benefit escrow: Money held until verified, not promised
Examples to Demand:
- “If you promise 100 permanent jobs and deliver only 37 (like Fort Worth, Texas), you repay 63% of tax subsidies plus interest”
- “Annual job verification: Independent auditor confirms actual headcount. Miss targets two years running, full clawback triggered”
- “Water consumption monitoring: Exceed closed-loop commitments = immediate financial penalties + possible shutdown”
Leverage Points Based on Current Conditions
Low Water Levels:
- “Great Lakes are below average for first time in decade. Require closed-loop cooling with zero tolerance for open-loop variance.”
Needs Assessment:
- “Prove you actually NEED this infrastructure. Show us the contracted customers. Data centers are speculative—Texas experts warn many projects never materialize while consumers pay for infrastructure built to accommodate them.”
Tech Layoffs:
- “500,000 tech workers laid off since ChatGPT. Your claimed permanent jobs—show us actual staffing at your other facilities.”
Obsolescence Risk:
- “Expert testimony warns centralized data center infrastructure may become obsolete as AI inference moves to edge computing. What’s your facility’s viable lifespan if distributed computing proves more efficient?”
NDA Transparency:
- “Columbiana exposed secret NDA. Release ALL agreements publicly or we assume you’re hiding something.”
Wisconsin Comparison:
- “Mount Pleasant approved 15 data centers in one meeting. You want the same fast-track? Then match their public commitments to water replenishment, closed-loop cooling, and binding job guarantees.”
Texas Scale:
- “Texas has 400 data centers planned/operating with power load requests jumping from 56 GW to 205 GW in one year. Show us you’re not part of speculative bubble that leaves communities with stranded infrastructure costs.”
INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
The AI vs. Data Center Infrastructure Distinction
Critical clarification: AI itself is not a bubble. AI is transformative technology with real capabilities that will continue advancing. What’s potentially a bubble is the assumption that AI requires centralized gigawatt data centers.
Evidence the infrastructure model may be obsolete:
- Anyway Systems research (Jan 2, 2026): 80-90% of AI inference runs efficiently on 4-10 networked computers, not gigawatt facilities
- China analog chip (Jan 19, 2026): 228x energy efficiency gains = 1/200th power consumption for same compute
- China rejecting H200 chips: Previously smuggled $160M worth illegally, now rejecting when legal = domestic alternatives work for production
- Tesla Full Self-Driving: Runs entirely on-device with zero cloud connectivity
- Edge AI specialist jobs: Major employers hiring for distributed deployment
- ARM Physical AI division: Silicon layer betting on edge computing for robotics, autonomous vehicles
What this means for communities:
Data centers are being built on the assumption that AI workloads MUST be centralized. If inference moves to distributed/edge computing (as research suggests it can and likely will), communities approved 20-25 year tax deals for infrastructure that becomes obsolete within 5-10 years.
Training large models still requires centralized compute. But training represents smaller percentage of total AI infrastructure demand. Most compute is inference (running trained models), which distributed systems handle efficiently.
Texas proves the speculation: Power load requests jumped 56 GW to 205 GW in one year. Experts warn many projects speculative—may never materialize. But if infrastructure built to accommodate speculation, consumers pay for stranded costs.
This is why needs assessments matter. Developers should prove they have contracted customers, not just projections. Otherwise communities approve infrastructure for phantom demand.
The Approval Paradox: More Resistance, Same Outcomes
This week crystallized a troubling pattern: community resistance is growing more sophisticated and widespread, but data centers are getting approved anyway.
Lyon Township: 200+ residents attended expert-led forum. Planning Commission “may be revisiting” approval. But the project was conditionally approved September 2025—five months ago. Community is organizing AFTER approval, not before.
Columbiana, Alabama: 250 residents packed town hall demanding transparency. They discovered the project had already received business license, begun operations, and operated for months. Former mayor signed NDA without telling Council. New mayor (elected on transparency platform) answered resident’s question about stopping project: “No.”
Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin: 15 data centers, $13 billion, approved unanimously “with little discussion.” Michigan communities fight for months. Wisconsin approves in single meeting.
Van Buren Township: 1,300+ petition signatures. Organized protest. Vote delayed to February 11. But the land is already zoned industrial. Project is “permitted by right.” Township can impose conditions, but blocking entirely would likely face legal challenge.
The Pattern:
- Developer finds industrial-zoned land
- “Permitted by right” = no public hearings required
- Community learns about project through rumors/informal channels
- Opposition organizes AFTER zoning/approval decisions made
- Township holds “informational meetings” after project approved
- Community demands transparency when it’s too late to stop project
Why This Matters:
Communities are learning from each other. Lyon Township residents explicitly referenced Howell Township (developer withdrew after opposition). Van Buren residents cited Saline’s lawsuit. Alabama communities worry about “how many Columbianas.”
But the approvals keep coming. Why?
The Legal Structure:
Industrial zoning creates “permitted by right” status. Data centers qualify as “data processing” or “technology infrastructure”—uses permitted under decades-old industrial zoning codes written when “data processing” meant small server rooms, not gigawatt facilities consuming more power than mid-sized cities.
Developers exploit this gap. By the time communities realize what’s happening, the legal framework favors approval.
The Wisconsin Model vs. Michigan Battles:
Mount Pleasant approved 15 data centers in one meeting because:
- Infrastructure already built (for Foxconn project that never materialized)
- Land already zoned and prepped
- Community “concerns addressed” during Foxconn negotiations
- Economic desperation: “They can bring some of that here to help”
Michigan communities fight because they’re learning the Wisconsin lesson too late: negotiate BEFORE approving infrastructure, not after.
The NDA Problem:
Columbiana exposed what many suspect is standard practice: economic development officials signing NDAs with developers, binding them to secrecy before public knows project exists.
When Shelby County economic development CEO said “no comment” about NDAs, the audience groaned in unison. They know. Everyone knows.
The question isn’t WHETHER NDAs are being used. It’s HOW MANY officials across how many communities have signed away their ability to speak publicly about projects impacting their constituents.
What Communities Can Actually Control:
Springfield Township’s moratorium model remains the ONLY approach that gives communities leverage: pause approvals, study comprehensively, regulate specifically, approve only with binding conditions and financial penalties.
Every community that skips this step (Lyon, Van Buren, Columbiana) ends up fighting AFTER approval when leverage is gone.
The Employment Contradiction
This Week’s Math:
- Microsoft: 15 data centers approved ($13B) + rumors of 11,000-22,000 layoffs
- Amazon: $100B AI infrastructure planned + 30,000 layoffs through May 2026
- Meta: 1,500 Reality Labs cuts + “shifting investment to AI”
The Claimed Jobs:
Mount Pleasant: 800 jobs from first Microsoft campus (construction peak: 3,000 workers, but temporary)
Van Buren residents: Project offers “very little to the local economy” despite massive scale
The Actual Jobs:
5,285 tech workers laid off in first 24 days of 2026. 245,953 in 2025. 500,000 since ChatGPT.
Data centers are being built TO AUTOMATE WORK. The construction jobs are real but temporary. The operational jobs are minimal (facilities are highly automated). The jobs that disappear—customer service, IT support, data entry, content moderation—are permanent losses.
Communities negotiating based on promised jobs are negotiating based on what developers want them to believe, not what their own financial reports show.
The Real Question:
If data centers create so few permanent jobs (most admit 10-50 operational staff for gigawatt facilities), why are communities offering massive tax breaks and infrastructure investments?
Answer: Because economic development officials need “wins” to justify their positions. $13 billion investment announcement generates headlines. 50 actual jobs five years later generates nothing.
The Water Timing
Great Lakes fell below long-term average for first time in decade. Michigan is approving facilities requesting 2-3.6 million gallons/day.
This isn’t coincidence. This is communities approving water-intensive infrastructure precisely when water availability is declining.
Van Buren Township: DTE letter says water usage won’t impact residents. Great Lakes: 7 inches below last year’s levels (Michigan-Huron).
Which number matters more? The utility’s promise, or the actual water level measurements?
Communities have leverage RIGHT NOW because water levels are low. In five years, if levels remain low or drop further, renegotiating water usage will be nearly impossible. The contracts will be signed. The facilities will be operating. The precedent will be set.
Springfield Township’s moratorium includes environmental impact requirements. This is why. Lock in protections BEFORE approving, because changing conditions AFTER approval requires proving harm—much harder legal standard.
What’s Working, What Isn’t
Working:
- Sustained organizing (Lyon Township multiple packed meetings forcing “may be revisiting”)
- Expert testimony (200 at Lyon forum hearing infrastructure warnings)
- Legal challenges (Saline lawsuit resulted in $14M concessions)
- Documentation (Inside Climate News FOIA’d Columbiana NDA, made scandal public)
- Cross-community learning (residents citing Howell, Saline as examples)
Not Working:
- Petitions without legal force (Van Buren 1,300 signatures, project still proceeding)
- Informational meetings after approval (Lyon, Columbiana)
- Relying on elected officials who signed NDAs (Columbiana)
- Hoping for transparency from economic development agencies (Alabama CEO: “no comment”)
The Only Thing That Actually Works:
Springfield Township moratorium model:
- Pause all approvals
- Hire independent experts (not developer-funded studies)
- Write specific regulations addressing data centers explicitly
- Require binding commitments with financial penalties
- Approve only when community negotiates from strength
Every community that skips this ends up in Lyon Township’s position: fighting after conditional approval, hoping Planning Commission “may be revisiting.”
RESOURCES
Intelligence Tracking:
- PivotIntel Infrastructure Tracker: pivotintel.org/communities/projects/
- TrueUp Layoffs Tracker: trueup.io/layoffs
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Levels: lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/
Regional Monitoring:
- Planet Detroit (Michigan data center coverage): planetdetroit.org
- Inside Climate News (transparency investigations): insideclimatenews.org
- Bridge Michigan (policy analysis): bridgemi.com
Community Organizing:
- Springfield Township Moratorium Model: Contact township for regulations framework
- No Data Centers in Lyon Township: Community organizing example
- Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office: Challenges to MPSC decisions, utility oversight
Wisconsin Comparison:
- Wisconsin Public Radio data center coverage: wpr.org
- Mount Pleasant approval process: Village planning documents
METHODOLOGY
Sources Used This Week:
Michigan:
- Planet Detroit (Jan 12, 17, multiple articles)
- WDIV Local 4 (Jan 21)
- The Oakland Press (Jan 6)
- Michigan Public Radio (Jan 22)
- MLive (Jan 16)
- WILX (Jan 9)
Wisconsin:
- Wisconsin Public Radio (Jan 20)
- FOX6 Milwaukee (Jan 20)
- WISN (Jan 21)
- Spectrum News (Jan 21)
- Urban Milwaukee (Jan 20)
Alabama:
- Inside Climate News (Jan 17) – NDA FOIA investigation
- ABC 3340 (Jan 15)
- WBRC (Jan 15, 16)
- CBS42 (Jan 15)
- Shelby County Reporter (Jan 15)
- EnviroLink Network (Jan 17)
Employment:
- TrueUp Layoffs Tracker (current data)
- InformationWeek (Jan layoffs tracking)
- Anil Dash analysis (Jan 6)
- The HR Digest (Amazon analysis)
- SF Gate (Meta layoffs)
- TipRanks (Microsoft rumors)
- BLS Employment Situation (Dec 2025, released Jan 9)
Environmental:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Weekly Update (Jan 16)
- NOAA GLERL
- International Joint Commission
Verification:
All factual claims sourced and documented for Wayback Machine archiving. Water level data from official government sources (Army Corps, NOAA). Employment data from BLS and verified layoff trackers. Project details from local government documents and verified news sources.
Data Gaps:
- Lyon Township: Power requirements, investment total, claimed jobs not publicly disclosed
- Van Buren Township: Investment total, claimed jobs not clearly stated
- Wisconsin: Exact power requirements for 15 new data centers not specified
- Cost-per-job calculations impossible without claimed permanent jobs and tax subsidy details
Community organizing opportunities:
Lyon Township (Jan 27 meeting), Van Buren Township (Feb 11 Planning Commission), other Michigan communities considering moratoriums.
Next Issue: PivotIntel Weekly #11 – Sunday, February 1, 2026
Communities need facts. Developers want promises. The difference matters.
PivotIntel Weekly Intelligence Report provides real-time tracking of AI infrastructure development, policy changes, and community response across Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Published by The Open Record L3C.
Related Reading:
- Under the Radar: Career intelligence for workers navigating AI transformation
- The Open Record: Investigative analysis of technology and economic change
- Control Not Compute series: Platform consolidation analysis
