Local Officials Challenge $1.25 Billion Computing Campus in Michigan

A proposed advanced computing campus in Washtenaw County, Michigan, is facing significant opposition from local officials and community members. The project, estimated at $1.25 billion, includes a major supercomputing center with ties to New Mexico. It is designed to host a 230,000-square-foot federal research facility, a 50,000-square-foot center for nonclassified research by faculty and students from the University of Michigan, and a new electrical substation. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2028.

This initiative stems from a partnership between the University of Michigan and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). In 2024, they entered into a five-year, $15 million research contract aimed at advancing computing technologies, including artificial intelligence. University officials assert that this collaboration could generate hundreds of jobs in research and construction while contributing to advancements in national security, health, and energy sectors.

Despite these promises, local officials in Ypsilanti, the area designated for the project, have expressed their concerns. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in August 2024 urging the University of Michigan and LANL to reconsider the project site. Following this, the Ypsilanti City Council adopted a resolution opposing the campus in late October 2024, citing apprehensions regarding the facility’s potential involvement in nuclear weapons development.

The funding for the project includes $300 million from LANL, a $100 million grant from the state of Michigan, and $220 million from the university itself. The University of Michigan will also manage the financing of the remaining $630 million. According to Kay Jarvis, Director of Public Affairs at the University of Michigan, the partnership is expected to enhance the university’s research capabilities significantly.

“The partnership is anticipated to strengthen U-M’s impact and excellence in research and education, offering new capabilities and opportunities to work on tough challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, infectious disease, and clean energy solutions,” Jarvis stated.

The unique aspect of this project lies in the University of Michigan’s exemption from local zoning codes and regulations, which grants it considerable autonomy in the development process. Jarvis noted that the university is currently evaluating two potential sites for the campus, with the final decision to be jointly made with LANL.

Local opposition has been vocal, especially from groups like Stop the Data Center, led by organizer Vidhya Aravind. Aravind raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the project, particularly about its environmental implications and water usage. “Everything is under NDA… They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building,” Aravind commented.

With Michigan possessing abundant freshwater resources compared to New Mexico, concerns have emerged about the cumulative impact of this and other data center projects being proposed across the state. Aravind emphasized that the issue is becoming a statewide concern, stressing the need for broader regulatory changes to address the rapid expansion of such facilities.

As discussions continue, the tension between local officials, community members, and the university highlights broader debates concerning the implications of advanced computing technologies, particularly in relation to national security and environmental sustainability. The outcome of this project could set a significant precedent for future developments in Michigan and beyond, reflecting the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.