University of Michigan computing center project faces Ypsilanti Township protests

Protests have erupted in Ypsilanti Township against a proposed $1.25-billion computing center project led by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The facility, planned for the Huron River area, is expected to be a 100-megawatt center that would create approximately 250 permanent jobs.

Local residents and officials have raised several concerns, including potential increases in electric bills, environmental impacts, and the fact that the university is exempt from local property taxes and zoning rules. University Regent Paul Brown joined protesters, stating that a public university should not pursue projects in communities where they are unwanted.

Ypsilanti Township has already enacted moratoriums on electrical and water infrastructure for such facilities. The project's future may depend on the University of Michigan Board of Regents, as well as potential legislative efforts to rescind a $100-million state grant allocated for the development.