Michigan local government leaders’ views on large-scale data center development
This report presents the opinions of Michigan's local government leaders on issues related to large-scale data center development in Michigan, including perceived impacts, local support for the development of data centers in or near the community, views on any legislative and regulatory actions Lansing should take, and resources that would be useful for developing or implementing local policies regarding large-scale data centers. These findings are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the spring 2026 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), conducted between March 30 and June 9, 2026.
Key findings
- Statewide, 46% of local government officials either somewhat (19%) or strongly (27%) disagree that the benefits of large-scale data centers are generally worth the costs, while 18% agree that data centers' benefits outweigh the costs. Over a third statewide are either neutral (22%) or unsure (14%).
- A majority (55%) of local officials statewide say their residents would strongly oppose data center development in or near their community, and only 2% believe their residents would support it.
- When asked to evaluate the impacts large-scale data centers may have, 60% of local leaders statewide believe data centers will have a negative impact on Michigan's fresh water supply, and majorities say data centers will negatively impact utility bills for rate-payers in communities where data centers are built, public health, local quality of life, and the reliability of the state's electric grid. Very few believe they will have a positive or no impact on these areas.