A proposed advanced computing campus in Washtenaw County, Michigan, has sparked significant opposition from local officials. The facility, which carries a price tag of $1.25 billion, is being developed through a partnership between the University of Michigan and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Plans for the project include a 230,000-square-foot federal research center, a 50,000-square-foot facility for nonclassified research by university students and faculty, and a new electrical substation. Construction is slated to begin in 2028.
The initiative builds upon a collaboration that began in August 2024, when the University of Michigan and LANL entered into a five-year, $15 million research agreement aimed at developing advanced computing technologies, including applications in artificial intelligence. The university has promoted this partnership as a means to create hundreds of jobs and advance research in critical areas such as national security, health, and energy.
Despite these promises, the project has faced backlash from local officials and community members. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution in August 2024 urging both the University of Michigan and LANL to reconsider the project’s site. Shortly thereafter, in late October 2024, the Ypsilanti City Council followed suit, expressing concerns about the site’s potential involvement in nuclear weapons development.
The funding for the computing campus is structured with $300 million coming from LANL, a $100 million grant from the state of Michigan, and $220 million in direct financing from the university. The University of Michigan is also tasked with facilitating the financing of the remaining $630 million, according to the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Kay Jarvis.
In a statement, Jarvis emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership for research and education, highlighting its focus on complex challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and clean energy solutions. “The partnership is anticipated to strengthen U-M’s impact and excellence in research and education, offering new capabilities and opportunities,” she said.
The University of Michigan enjoys exemption from local zoning codes and exercises significant regulatory autonomy, as noted in a publication from the university’s department of architecture, engineering, and construction. Currently, the university is evaluating two potential sites for the campus, with the final decision to be made jointly with LANL.
Opposition to the project is articulated by local activist Vidhya Aravind, who represents the organizing group Stop the Data Center. Aravind pointed out that the classified nature of some research aspects has raised concerns regarding transparency, particularly regarding the environmental impact and water usage of the facility. Data centers, which support high-level computing, typically require substantial cooling, and the specifics of water and power needs remain unclear.
“Everything is under NDA. They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building,” Aravind stated. While Michigan has abundant freshwater resources compared to New Mexico, Aravind emphasized the cumulative impact of multiple data center projects being considered across the state.
“This is becoming a statewide issue that needs state-level change, and it reflects a nationwide concern about the rapid expansion of such facilities and their unchallenged growth,” Aravind added.
As discussions unfold, the community remains split between the potential benefits of cutting-edge research and the apprehensions surrounding the project’s implications for local residents and the environment.
