Jan. 27, 2026 3p
(WGTD)---The Mt. Pleasant Village Board unanimously approved site plans to pave the way for the construction of 15 more data centers in the village.
Monday night's meeting drew several dozen trades workers who were there in support.
Also speaking were several people who spoke in opposition. Jack Nehmer is a village resident. "One or two data centers--we can all live with that. 15-22? That's significant," he said. "So I would like to see more transparency on the project plan, on the economic impact...as well as the energy infrastructure and water infrastructure impact."
Before the vote, village officials spoke confidently about the value of the Microsoft proposal. They also countered some of the criticism, which includes a fear that existing electric ratepayers would shoulder the burden for expanding electric infrastructure. Claude Lois is a longtime economic development consultant for the village. "Microsoft is paying it themselves. And they also asked the PSC as well as We Energies to raise their rates to make sure that none of this would ever fall on your local ratepayers of electricity," he said.
Other speakers referred to a 'closed loop system' to minimize water intake from Lake Michigan.
Microsoft’s first data center, which has been under construction for a couple of years, is expected to become operational this year. The build-out of the 15 additional data centers is expected to take place over the next 10 years.
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