A proposed advanced computing campus in Washtenaw County, Michigan, has sparked significant opposition from local officials. The project, estimated to cost $1.25 billion, includes a 230,000-square-foot federal research facility, a 50,000-square-foot center for nonclassified research by University of Michigan students and faculty, and a new electrical substation. Construction is slated to begin in 2028.
This initiative represents a collaboration between the University of Michigan and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), which entered into a five-year, $15 million research contract with the university in 2024. The aim is to develop advanced computing technologies, including applications in artificial intelligence. While the University claims the partnership could generate hundreds of research and construction jobs, it faces backlash from local governance.
In late October, the Ypsilanti City Council passed a resolution opposing the campus due to concerns over its potential involvement in nuclear weapons development. Earlier in August, the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously requested that the University reconsider the project’s location. Despite assurances regarding job creation and advancements in national security, health, and energy, local officials remain skeptical.
The debate surrounding the facility is reminiscent of discussions occurring in New Mexico and elsewhere about the implications of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Vidhya Aravind, a local organizer with Stop the Data Center, has voiced concerns over the project’s transparency, particularly regarding its classified research components. “Everything is under NDA. They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building,” Aravind stated.
The funding for the campus comprises $300 million from LANL, a $100 million grant from the state of Michigan, and $220 million in direct financing from the university. The remaining $630 million will be facilitated through financing arrangements by the University of Michigan, as noted by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Kay Jarvis.
Jarvis emphasized the potential impact of the partnership, stating, “The partnership is anticipated to strengthen U-M’s impact and excellence in research and education, offering new capabilities and opportunities to work on tough challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, infectious disease, and clean energy solutions.” She further explained that while the university has engaged in high-performance computing research for years, the new facility will provide enhanced computing speeds and capacity to address more complex problems.
One significant aspect of this project is that the University of Michigan is exempt from local zoning codes and ordinances, allowing it considerable regulatory autonomy. Jarvis indicated that the university is currently evaluating two potential sites for the campus, with the final decision to be made jointly with LANL.
Critics like Aravind argue that the project’s classified nature obscures critical details, including its environmental impact and water usage. High-level computing centers typically require cooling systems, which can vary significantly in their water and energy demands. Given Michigan’s abundant freshwater resources compared to New Mexico, local advocates worry about the cumulative effects of multiple data center projects under consideration across the state.
“It is becoming a statewide issue that needs state-level change, and it is a nationwide issue how rapid these expansions are and how uncontested they are,” Aravind remarked, highlighting the broader implications of the project.
As discussions continue, the future of the advanced computing campus remains uncertain, with local officials and community members weighing the potential benefits against the perceived risks associated with its development.
