Panattoni Proposes Major Hyperscale Data Center on 280-Acre Site in Southeast Michigan
December 12, 2025
Another major hyperscale data center project is taking shape in Southeast Michigan, highlighting the region's growing significance in the national race to build computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. The proposed facility underscores the intense demand for power and land driven by tech giants expanding their digital capabilities.
Panattoni Data Center Group is advancing plans to develop a data center on approximately 280 acres of land in Van Buren Township, Wayne County. The site is located near Belleville, north of an I-94 service drive and south of I-275, bordered by Haggerty Road to the east and Hannan Road to the west. The company held a public informational open house on December 11 to present the project to the community.
While the specific end-user company has not been disclosed, the project enters a Michigan market already attracting investments from major firms like OpenAI, Oracle, and Meta. Adam Kramer, who leads data center development for Panattoni, confirmed at the open house that the land is already zoned to permit a data center. He noted that the company had evaluated both industrial uses and a data center for the parcel, stating that a data center would generate significantly less truck traffic than an industrial development—a point of concern for some local residents.
The proposal is part of a wave of hyperscale data center developments across the state, including the high-profile, OpenAI- and Oracle-backed “Stargate” project in Saline Township, which aims to be Michigan's first hyperscale facility. Similar projects have been proposed in Ypsilanti, Augusta, York, and Howell townships. Proponents argue these centers will provide a substantial economic boost, creating thousands of construction and high-tech jobs, and are drawn to Michigan in part by favorable tax incentives.
However, the rapid expansion faces notable local opposition. As reported by local media, a large crowd attended the open house, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the plan. Hyperscale projects statewide have encountered resistance from residents, environmental advocates, and some officials, primarily over the massive electricity demand—often measured in gigawatts—and potential impacts on water resources and the local environment. The debate in Van Buren Township mirrors a broader tension between economic development goals and community and environmental concerns as Michigan positions itself as a key hub for next-generation computing infrastructure.
Source: mlive
