What’s Next?
Hi, everyone!
The past few months have been a rollercoaster ride. It has been full of long meetings, late nights, research, strategy, and an incredible amount of community power. Thank you for building this movement with us.
With the news that the developer has withdrawn their Howell Township data center rezoning application, many people are asking:
“So… what’s next?”
Here’s the honest answer:
This isn’t over.
The developer can return with a new application at any time and beyond Howell Township, we must now widen our focus to Livingston County and statewide policy. Together, we are building a long-term, strategic movement for responsible development that protects our water, land, infrastructure, and communities.
Over the coming weeks, our organizing team will share next steps and opportunities to get involved. For now, here are the actions you can take today.
First, REST.
It has been a really intense few months and this kind of community action can be exhausting. Please give yourself a couple of days to rest. You must refill your own tank in order to be able to support this effort!
Submit Feedback on the Livingston County 2026 Master Plan
This is one of the most important actions you can take right now.
Livingston County is accepting public feedback until January 26, 2025, and your comments will shape long-term land use policy—including how and where large-scale industrial uses like data centers could be encouraged or limited.
We encourage you to submit feedback BOTH through the survey and directly via email.
Links to Participate
Master Plan & Feedback Survey:
Submit Feedback by Email:
planning@livgov.com
Key Concerns to Mention
The Master Plan’s single page on data centers (page 178) is severely lacking depth, guidance, and environmental considerations.
The proposed Howell Township site is labeled as “Secondary Growth” (pages 201–209) without adequate justification or clear parameters.
The plan should explicitly account for water impacts, energy demands, aquifer protection, environmental risks, and long-term infrastructure burdens associated with hyperscale data centers.
Your voice matters here—Master Plans guide zoning decisions for years to come.
Call Your State Representatives
State-level pressure around AI data center development is growing rapidly. Michigan’s tax exemptions and lack of environmental guardrails are driving these projects into our communities without proper oversight.
Your calls help shift the political landscape.
Emails can be ignored.
Phone calls cannot.
It doesn’t matter if you’re left, right, in-between, or politically homeless.
Call once a week and urge your elected officials to:
Stop the assault of AI data center development on Michigan
Demand state-level environmental impact studies and regulations to protect our land/water
Repeal data center sales and use tax abatementsEnsure DTE and Consumers Energy are held accountable
Key Contacts
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
(517) 335-7858
Attorney General Dana Nessel
(517) 335-7622
Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07)
(517) 993-0510
Senator Lana Theis (MI-22)
(517) 373-2420
Representative Jason Woolford (MI-50)
(517) 373-3906
Make your voice heard. It matters.
Attend Township & County Meetings
The most effective way to influence local government is to show up.
Know which township you live in and begin attending:
Planning Commission meetings
Township Board meetings
Livingston County Planning Commission meetings
Public hearings
Community presence changes outcomes.
Upcoming Meeting of Interest
Cohoctah Township Board Meeting
Thursday, December 11 at 7 PM
Agenda topics include:
Consumers Energy Franchise Agreement
Moratorium Ordinance
NDA Policy
Details: https://www.cohoctahtownship.gov/calendar
Whether your township is actively facing development pressure or not, staying engaged ensures you’re informed before a rezoning happens—not after.
Stay With Us — This Movement Is Just Beginning
Your efforts, your presence, and your persistence made a direct impact in Howell Township. The withdrawal happened because people showed up, spoke up, and refused to be ignored.
But as we’ve said from the start:
This is only Phase One.
In the coming days we will share additional, upcoming events of importance!
Thank you for standing with us, for showing up for your neighbors, and for protecting Livingston County’s future