Data Center Development: Impact on West Michigan Communities

In recent years, West Michigan has become a focal point for data center development, sparking debates about their benefits and drawbacks.

Pavilion Township, located southeast of Kalamazoo, has been at the center of this discussion.

In September 2025, real estate firm Franklin Partners proposed a data center on 265 acres of farmland at South 26th Street and East N Avenue.

The proposal required amending the township's zoning ordinance to include data centers as a special exception use in the Industrial-2 district.

Residents expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact, including high water and electricity usage.

One resident noted, "We don't know what type of data center would be moving in here. We don't know who would own it, and who knows if we'd find out."

In response to public opposition, the Pavilion Township Planning Commission postponed the decision, and Franklin Partners eventually withdrew their request.

Despite this, local residents remain vigilant against future proposals.

Conversely, other West Michigan communities have embraced data center developments.

In Dowagiac, Las Vegas-based Hyperscale Data operates a 34-acre facility in the former National Copper building.

City Manager Kevin Anderson highlighted the economic boost, stating, "It's been a really good fit for an old factory that had been abandoned and then has been restored to life."

The facility plans to expand to 340 megawatts by 2029 to support AI and machine learning.

Similarly, Gaines Township in Kent County hosts the Switch Pyramid Campus, a data center utilizing a former industrial building.

The township's Community Development Director praised Switch as a good business partner, noting infrastructure improvements like fiber optics that have attracted other businesses.

Switch is currently building a second facility on-site and plans for a third.

While data centers can bring economic benefits and infrastructure improvements, they also raise concerns about environmental impact and resource consumption.

As West Michigan continues to navigate these developments, communities must weigh the potential advantages against the challenges to make informed decisions.