Van Buren Township approves Google's $2B data center despite resident protests

Key points

• The Van Buren Township Planning Commission voted 5-1 to approve the final site plan for Google's data center campus on October 14, 2026.
• The 282-acre site, located north of I-94 between Haggerty Road and I-275, will include five buildings and a high-voltage switching station.
• The facility is projected to consume 1 gigawatt of power and up to 3.6 million gallons of water daily, with power supply secured via a 20-year DTE Energy contract approved by state regulators.
• Construction is already underway, with early phases continuing through late 2026 and final phases scheduled for March 2027, involving temporary road closures.
• Residents raised concerns about noise, dust, and property values, while developers emphasized job creation, tax revenue, and design modifications made in response to community feedback.

Background

This approval follows a broader trend in Michigan where local governments are scrutinizing data center proposals. In September 2026, Hazle Township in Pennsylvania rejected a $45 million cash offer from NorthPoint Development for a data center, highlighting growing public resistance. Meanwhile, Michigan communities like Springfield Township and Oxford Township have enacted moratoriums to develop stricter zoning regulations. The Van Buren project, dubbed Project Cannoli, was first revealed in March 2026 and received preliminary approval in February 2026.

How outlets are covering it

WXYZ 7 News and CBS News emphasized the procedural approval and the 5-1 vote, noting that state law limits township officials' ability to reject projects meeting zoning standards. The Detroit News highlighted the 5-1 vote and the 125 million dollar tax break vetoed by Wayne County Executive Warren Evans but overridden by commissioners. Bridge Michigan focused on the environmental and economic impacts, noting the 1-gigawatt power demand and the 20-year DTE Energy contract. All sources agreed on the 282-acre size and the developer, Panattoni Data Centers, but differed in emphasis: WXYZ and CBS focused on the approval process, while Bridge Michigan and The Detroit News highlighted the broader statewide debate and resident opposition.

Why it matters

The approval of Google's data center in Van Buren Township sets a precedent for how Michigan communities handle large-scale tech infrastructure. It highlights the tension between economic benefits and environmental concerns, as well as the growing public resistance to data centers. The project's approval may influence future regulations and moratoriums in other Michigan communities, as local governments seek to balance development with community impact.

What to watch

Construction is expected to continue through late 2026 and into early 2027, with final phases scheduled for March 2027. Google expects the facility to begin drawing power by late 2027. The Wayne County commission's override of the tax break veto may face further legal challenges, and other Michigan communities may continue to enact moratoriums or stricter regulations in response to public opposition.