LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Protesters gathered at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, pushing back against the expansion of large-scale data centers across the state and urging lawmakers to slow or stop projects they say could harm local communities.
The rally was organized by Michiganders Against Data Centers, a coalition opposing dozens of proposed developments currently under consideration by township leaders statewide. At least four projects are actively under review in Michigan, two in Kent County, one in Allegan County, and one in Kalamazoo County.
Demonstrators argue the facilities could strain energy infrastructure, shift costs onto residents, and threaten natural resources, including the Great Lakes.
“Today, this right here. This is no protest. This is a message, a message to big tech, a message to corporate oligarchs, to our elected representatives that our land is not for sale,” said Mitchell Ryan Distin, CEO and director of The New People Foundation.
Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as one of accountability, warning state leaders against prioritizing corporate interests over local concerns. Distin directly addressed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers who support the projects.
“So I said to Governor Whitmer, or any other legislator who supports the data center: do not let this be your Flint, do not let this be your legacy, do not let this taint your legacy,” he said.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also spoke at the rally, criticizing proposals that would fast-track data center approvals through the Michigan Public Service Commission. Nessel said those efforts do not adequately protect consumers from potentially covering infrastructure and energy costs.
Inside the Capitol, lawmakers are weighing how much public funding and tax incentives should be tied to data center development.
House Speaker Matt Hall said legislators considered cutting funding tied to a University of Michigan data center project during budget negotiations, but ultimately chose not to move forward.
“There’s 100 million in the budget in SOAR for U of M Los Alamos data center. We could have cut that through the work project process, but after feedback from the administration and our members, we declined to do that,” Hall said.
Outside the Capitol, organizers said the rally was meant to show unity and send a clear warning, pressing lawmakers as data center proposals move through local and state review processes.
“Do not mess with our communities,” Distin said. “Do not mess with our people, you will not win.”
