Event Recap: Data Center Community Info & Action Night
On Wednesday, December 3, more than 200 residents gathered at the Howell High School Rod Bushey Auditorium for our Data Center Community Info & Action Night, hosted by Livingston County Residents for Responsible Development (LivCoRRD). The goal: bring clarity, independent expertise, and meaningful conversation to a proposal that could reshape Howell Township for decades.
What happened far exceeded expectations. The auditorium was full, the energy was high, and the commitment to community learning and engagement was unmistakable.
Four Expert Speakers, Four Critical Perspectives
We were honored to host four exceptional speakers who brought deep knowledge and lived experience to the issues surrounding hyperscale data centers:
Gwen Klenke – Energy Burden & Ratepayer Impacts
Representing FracTracker Alliance, Gwen shared what large-scale energy demand means for Michigan communities. She explained how utilities like DTE recover costs through ratepayers and why expanding grid capacity for a hyperscale facility would have real consequences for local families and businesses.
Dr. Ben Green – Technology Policy & Community Impact
Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan and author of What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town, Dr. Green provided a big-picture look at the national data center boom. He explained how water, energy, tax incentives, and transparency challenges have affected communities across the country—and how those patterns mirror what we’re seeing in Howell Township.
Andrea Pierce – Great Lakes Water, Tribal Rights & Community Protection
An LTBB Odawa citizen, Policy Director at Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, and respected water protector, Andrea spoke powerfully about Great Lakes water withdrawal rules, aquifer pressures, and the broader environmental justice implications of massive industrial water use. She also shared what it’s like living in Washtenaw County and fighting the data centers there, as well as insights from her experience at COP in Brazil, where data center impacts were discussed on a global scale.
Prescott Balch – Technology Infrastructure & Financial Risk
A retired U.S. Bank technology executive and organizer who helped successfully stop Microsoft’s proposed data center in Caledonia, WI, Prescott walked attendees through the technical realities of modern data centers and the long-term financial risks for small townships. He also discussed the growing concerns about a potential AI bubble, explaining how rapidly shifting technologies can leave communities holding massive infrastructure costs if the industry contracts or pivots — a point that resonates strongly given today’s headlines. His insider knowledge helped residents see how technology demands, market volatility, and industry trends can translate into major public costs.
Engaged Audience & Meaningful Q&A
Attendees asked thoughtful, informed questions about water withdrawal, aquifer protection, energy infrastructure, tax incentives, transparency, zoning, and long-term land-use implications.
Our Q&A ran longer than planned because residents were deeply engaged and the panelists provided clear, accessible insights on each topic. It’s clear that our community is eager for answers—answers we have not yet received from the developer or DTE.
Lobby Networking & Action Stations
After the panel, everyone moved into the lobby for informal discussion and hands-on action stations. This may have been the most inspiring part of the night.
Residents gathered around:
A township map to identify neighborhoods and connect with others nearby
Volunteer sign-up stations for outreach, research, petition readiness, and more
A yard sign station offering a way for you to show your support
A message & poster station where children and adults wrote notes about protecting Howell’s future
Meet-the-Experts corner where speakers stayed to answer questions one-on-one
A Strong Community Showing
We are especially grateful to the Township Board and Planning Commission members who attended the event. Their presence signals a willingness to learn, listen, and engage with residents outside formal meeting settings.
We also want to recognize the many volunteers who helped set up tables, greet attendees, manage stations, distribute handouts, and ensure the evening ran smoothly. This was a true community effort.
What Comes Next
We now look ahead to the December 8 Township Board meeting, where the rezoning decision will be made. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear:
Our community is engaged, informed, and ready to stand together.
If the vote is NO, we must remain engaged to ensure the township is supported through what may come next.
If the vote is YES, we will need to mobilize quickly to begin the referendum process.
Either way, this community has shown it is more than ready to meet the moment.
Want the Slide Deck? Stay Connected.
If you would like a copy of the slides from the presentations, please contact us. Be sure to write a message asking for the slide decks.
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In Gratitude
Thank you to our panelists!
Thank you so much to Photo Journalist, Valerie Jean for the beautiful photos of the evening!
Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions, brought their families, spoke with neighbors, and helped make this event a tremendous success.
This is what community looks like and this is how we protect it.