By Autumn Pitchure | News Channel 3
Publication Date: 2025-12-18 19:20:00
GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Thursday evening, Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing addressing a data center being proposed in their community.
Microsoft has submitted a request to rezone 40.5 acres of property located on Patterson Avenue from large-scale planned unit development to light industrial.
The request will match the zoning of a parcel south of the property, and allow construction of the data center.
In Oct. 2024, the tech giant purchased 316 acres from office furniture manufacturer Steelcase for $45.3 million, with hopes to expand their footprint in the Michigan market.
Data centers are often large-scale developments that contain servers used for artificial intelligence, and utilize large quantities of water and electricity.
In West Michigan alone, five different townships have proposed construction of new plants including:
- Lowell Township
- Comstock Township
- Oshtemo Township
- Pavilion Township
- Fabius Township
Amid proposals for data centers, there’s…
