Pictured: A rendering of the data center site in Saline Township. Photo courtesy of Related Digital.
Today, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved contracts from DTE Energy to provide power to a proposed data center development in Saline, a move the Detroit Regional Chamber has supported.
This is an important step forward for the state to work toward leadership in this space and bolster its innovation economy. Ahead of today’s decision, the Chamber issued the following statement:
“When it comes to data centers, Michigan needs to decide if it wants to participate in the 21st Century economy, or rest on those who came before us and spend that wealth down. Michigan’s decision to accept or reject the realities of what it takes to compete in the 21st Century economy will dictate its standing in the global marketplace.
Unfortunately, Michigan already has ground to make up, lagging regional peers in data center developments. It also faces other troubling trends as it ranks 40th in the nation for per capita income, its lowest ranking ever, and a drop of 22 spots since 2000, while finding itself in the lower third in post-high school educational attainment.
These realities raise the stakes for decisions about Michigan’s investment in the fundamentals that will drive the innovations of the future, like data centers. What built Michigan’s wealth and global leadership role a hundred years ago was its embrace of the future. This is Michigan’s time for choosing. Are we going to continue to spend down our legacy, or will we create a new one for the new economy?”
– Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber