Michigan is racing toward the data center boom that powers artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Lawmakers have approved generous tax breaks, and utilities are courting multi-billion-dollar projects, including a proposed $7 billion “hyperscale” campus in rural Saline Township, backed by tech giants OpenAI and Oracle. 

Supporters promise investment and new tax revenue. But critics warn that these vast, windowless buildings could come with higher electric bills, heavy demands on local water supplies, and pressure to keep fossil fuel plants running long past Michigan’s clean energy deadlines. 

So who really pays for Michigan’s data-center gold rush, and who gets to decide?

Brian Allnutt, a senior reporter and contributing editor at Planet Detroit, has been following Michigan’s data center deals from the state capitol to township board meetings and courtroom settlements. He joined Robyn Vincent to help make sense of the choices Michigan faces.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Advocates push back on candidate’s Dearborn march

A Muslim civil rights organization is advising Dearborn residents to ignore what it calls an “Islamophobic publicity stunt” by a Republican gubernatorial candidate. Anthony Hudson says he plans to march through Dearborn Tuesday “to protect Americans from Sharia law.” At an October debate for Republicans running for Governor, the Genesee County man said he would deploy the National Guard to Dearborn if elected.

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations says it has responded to a number of threats against Michigan Muslims and mosques lately. This week, an Illinois man who allegedly made threats against a Dearborn Heights mosque was arrested. A Virginia man faces terrorism charges for allegations he threatened to kill Muslims at a Michigan mosque and law enforcement officials identified a Texas man they say made threatening calls to the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights.

The national CAIR office says it distributed a formal memo to every member of Congress last month, warning of the “anti-Sharia hoax” as a part of anti-Islamic propaganda.

Additional headlines for November 14, 2025

DTE seeks gas rate increase

DTE is asking to raise residential gas rates by almost 8 percent. Planet Detroit reports the request comes a year after the utility raised prices more than 2 percent and as federal money to help utility customers is in doubt. The Michigan Public Service Commission has 10 months to decide on the rate hike.

https://planetdetroit.org/2025/11/dte-gas-rate-hike-proposal/ 

Michigan launches MIVeteran app

The state has launched a tool aimed at supporting veterans and service members transitioning back to civilian life. MIVeteran is an app designed to help veterans navigate benefits and resources available to them. Resources and information on the app include: DD-214 requests, state benefits, employment, education, housing, and healthcare resources, and a guide to benefits for transitioning service members. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency says it created the app as a part of its work to make Michigan a great place for veterans and their families. The MIVeteran app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple and Google app stores.

State seeks input on services for older adults

The state is wrapping up its series of community conversations around gaps in services for older adults next week. None of the remaining events are in Southeast Michigan, but a survey will be live until December 15th. The Bureau of Aging Community Living and Supports is collecting input for a new state plan on aging. The survey can be completed online or downloaded and mailed in.

Download and mail the survey about older adults in Michigan

Complete the survey online

Threads of Time market returns to the Fisher Building

More than 20 vendors will offer their wares at the Threads of Time: Vintage Market Saturday. The free event is set against the backdrop of the Fisher Building’s timeless beauty. Visitors can shop for apparel, accessories and housewares. Food and drink will also be for sale. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is hosted by the Peacock Room.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

This weekend is ripe with opportunities to welcome fall and celebrate diverse cultures, plus musical performances and art fests galore! Next Thursday is the annual Spelling Bee fundraiser for the Dominican Literacy Center.

Don’t miss your chance to be present and support local organizations and businesses. 

Upcoming events

Ascension Exhibit by TYP

Big Pink (6440 Wight St, Detroit, MI 48207)

  Friday, Sep. 19 through Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

This art exhibit blends the designed environment with audio to immerse its audience in an intimate exploration of the relationship between life’s struggles and spiritual growth. The exhibit is open from 6-10 p.m. on Friday and from 12-10 p.m. on Saturday.

DIY Street Fair

Downtown Ferndale

  Friday, Sep. 19 through Sunday, Sep. 21

  Free

Over 150 local artists with quality crafted goods, along with food trucks and live music. The event runs from 6-11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Funky Ferndale Art Fair

Downtown Ferndale

  Friday, Sep. 19 through Sunday, Sep. 21

  Free

Browse a unique selection of fine 2D and 3D art pieces, make your own masterpieces, and enjoy spirited music, dance, and circus acts. Attend at no cost Friday from 5p.m. – 9p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to  5 p.m.

WDET is a partner of the Funky Ferndale Art Fair.

1st Annual Community Treehouse Fall Concert

Passage to Wellbeing Alley 

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

The inaugural Fall Concert at the Community Treehouse Center opens with a debut of “I Am Light” by Tammy Black, performed by the Urban Art Orchestra . Other performances include Detroit’s Queen of Blues Thornetta Davis, Detroit Reggae Rock and Soul Band and more! Bring your own seating. This event runs from 3-7 p.m.

Palmer Park Harvest Fest

Palmer Park Community Center

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

Take part in a Palmer Park tradition, celebrating the first official days of fall with apple tasting, cider and donuts available to the first 500 guests free of charge. You and your family can take part in the petting zoo, arts and crafts, and watch live entertainment from 1-4 p.m among an old growth forest.

DTE Community Concert

The Hawk

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

Enjoy a classical music program performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that includes premiere selections from “313: Six Vignettes for Orchestra” by Detroit’s Composer Laureate Patrick Prouty. The music starts at 7 p.m. Reserve your tickets in advance.

Chicano Fest

Batch Brewing Company

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

Celebrate Chicano culture with live music, lowriders, lucha libre and more. Activities for all ages, from noon-10 p.m.

Brazilian Day Street Festival

Vamonos!

  Saturday, Sep. 20

  Free

The 4th annual Brazilian Day Street Festival opens with a lively parade and offers dance workshops and competitions throughout the day. Canja de Boa will be performing live. Join anytime from noon-7 p.m.

Dominican Literacy Center Spelling Bee

Jam Brandy 

  Thursday, Sep. 25

  $40 or $35 for participants

The annual Dominican Literacy Center Spelling Bee raises funds for the organization to continue their mission of helping adults improving their reading and writing skills. This benefit is hosted by Stephen Henderson with guest Dame Wilburn from Moth Story Hour and goes from 6-9 p.m.

The Detroit Department of Public Works announced a new effort to keep the city clean with a recycling pilot program at bus stops.

The department also unveiled two electric garbage trucks that will be used to collect recycling.   

The pilot program will place 800 new recycling cans at the bus stops.  

Public Works Deputy Director Sam Krassenstein says bottles and cans are the number one thing people throw away when waiting for the bus.  “And that’s what we’re trying to capitalize on by diverting that to keep that out of the landfill and keep that out of the streets.”  

Krassenstein says the pilot aims to increase recycling rates from 45% to nearly 100%.   

The $500,000 investment was funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, DTE, and City Council.   

Additional headlines for Thursday, September 11, 2025

Non profit offers free homecoming dress drawing

High school students in southeastern Michigan could get a free homecoming dress this weekend. 

Alison Vaughn is the CEO of Jackets for Jobs.  

She says her non profit and Comerica bank are hosting a homecoming dress giveaway on the lower level of the Samaritan Center in Detroit this weekend.  

“Homecoming is one of the young girls’ biggest moments of high school, and so we wanted to make them feel like Cinderella and the belle of the ball, if you will, and make them feel good and confident. And we know those events are very costly.”  

Vaughn says anyone can come get a free homecoming dress and accessories from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday or from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Samaritan Center on 5555 Conner Street.  

Corewell terminates gender affirming care for minors

Corewell Health is the latest Michigan hospital to end gender affirming care for minors. The hospital announced it will no longer prescribe puberty blockers or hormone therapy to minors because of “the serious risk of legal and regulatory action.”

That pressure is coming from the Trump Administration. Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan’s hospital system, announced it will also stop gender affirming care last month.  

Corewell Health made a similar announcement in February this year before backtracking due to protest.

Dearborn improving business exteriors with grant funding

The City of Dearborn is celebrating the completion of the first façade improvement project on Warren Avenue at Nadia’s Pharmacy.

The city’s initiative awards up to $200,000 in Community Development Block grant funding, with a 10% business match to improve the exterior of selected businesses.

The goal of the project is to modernize, enhance, and create a cohesive business aesthetic along Warren Avenue between Lonyo Avenue and Greenfield Rd.

Nadia’s Pharmacy is the first to complete repairs. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.