Plans for a $1.25 billion advanced computing campus in Washtenaw County, Michigan, have sparked significant opposition from local officials. This facility, which is set to feature a 230,000-square-foot federal research center and a 50,000-square-foot center for nonclassified research by University of Michigan (U-M) students and faculty, is expected to begin construction in 2028.
The project stems from a partnership between U-M and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), which established a $15 million research contract in 2024. This collaboration aims to advance computing technologies, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Proponents argue that the facility will generate hundreds of research and construction jobs while driving advancements in national security, health, and clean energy.
Despite these potential benefits, officials in Ypsilanti, the city designated to host the project, have voiced considerable concerns. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in August 2023 urging U-M and LANL to reconsider the campus location. Similarly, the Ypsilanti City Council adopted a resolution opposing the project in late October, primarily due to apprehensions regarding the center’s connection to nuclear weapons development.
Funding and Research Implications
The financing for the $1.25 billion project includes $300 million from LANL, a $100 million grant from the state of Michigan, and $220 million in direct funding from U-M. The university will also manage the financing of the remaining $630 million, as outlined by Kay Jarvis, U-M’s Director of Public Affairs.
Jarvis emphasized that the partnership is expected to enhance U-M’s research capabilities, stating, “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.” She noted that U-M has historically engaged in high-performance computing research, but at a smaller scale, necessitating improved computing speeds and capacity to tackle more complex issues.
Community Concerns and Regulatory Autonomy
Local opposition, led by groups like Stop the Data Center, raises important questions about the project’s environmental impact and water usage. Vidhya Aravind, a local organizer, highlighted concerns over the classified nature of some research elements, suggesting that this has obscured critical details about the facility’s environmental footprint.
Data centers, which support high-level computing, typically require substantial cooling systems, influencing their water and energy consumption. Aravind pointed out, “Everything is under NDA. They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building.”
While Michigan benefits from ample freshwater resources compared to New Mexico, Aravind warns that the cumulative impact of several proposed data center projects could pose significant challenges. “It is becoming a statewide issue that needs state-level change, and it is a nationwide issue how rapid these expansions are and how uncontested they are,” she stated.
The University of Michigan has the advantage of regulatory autonomy, allowing it to bypass local zoning codes and ordinances. As Jarvis noted, the final site decision will be a collaborative effort between U-M and LANL, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.
As discussions surrounding the computing campus continue, the community’s pushback highlights the intricate balance between technological advancement and local concerns. The outcome will likely shape not only the future of research in Michigan but also the broader dialogue on the implications of rapid technological development.
