A proposed advanced computing campus worth $1.25 billion has sparked significant opposition from local officials in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The development is set to feature a 230,000-square-foot federal research facility, an additional 50,000-square-foot center dedicated to nonclassified research by University of Michigan students and faculty, and a new electrical substation. Plans indicate that construction will commence in 2028.
The project stems from a collaboration between the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). In 2024, the two institutions entered into a five-year, $15 million research contract aimed at advancing computing technologies, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and national security. The university asserts that the initiative could generate hundreds of research and construction jobs while advancing critical research areas.
Despite these potential benefits, local officials in Ypsilanti, the anticipated site for the campus, have expressed strong reservations. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in August 2023 urging the University of Michigan and LANL to reconsider the project’s location. In late October 2023, the Ypsilanti City Council followed suit, voicing concerns regarding the center’s involvement in nuclear weapons development.
Concerns Over National Security and Environmental Impact
The financing for the project includes $300 million from LANL, a $100 million grant from the state of Michigan, and $220 million in direct funding from the university. The University of Michigan is also tasked with facilitating the financing for the remaining $630 million, according to statements from Kay Jarvis, the university’s Director of Public Affairs.
In a statement, Jarvis emphasized the potential of this partnership. “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 noted. While the university has engaged in high-performance computing research for years, Jarvis highlighted the need for enhanced computing capacity to tackle increasingly complex issues.
Despite these assurances, concerns persist regarding the classified research aspect of the project. Vidhya Aravind, a local organizer with the group Stop the Data Center, has raised alarms over the lack of transparency surrounding the environmental implications and water use associated with data centers. The cooling processes required for high-level computing can significantly affect water and power consumption.
Aravind pointed out that much of the information surrounding the project remains undisclosed, stating, “Everything is under NDA. … They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building.” The state of Michigan, rich in water resources, presents a contrasting scenario to New Mexico, where LANL is located. Nevertheless, Aravind voiced concerns about the cumulative impact of several data center projects under consideration across Michigan.
Regulatory Autonomy and Future Decisions
The University of Michigan enjoys exemptions from local zoning codes and operates with considerable regulatory autonomy. Jarvis confirmed that the university is currently evaluating two potential sites for the campus, with the final location to be decided in collaboration with LANL.
The zoning exemption is a key aspect of the project, contributing to its uniqueness and sparking debate among local stakeholders. Aravind believes that the rapid expansion of such facilities raises broader issues that require state-level intervention. “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,” she commented.
As discussions continue, local officials remain vigilant in voicing their concerns, while the University of Michigan and LANL work to underscore the benefits of the ambitious project. The outcome of this conflict may shape the future landscape of advanced computing research and its implications for communities across the United States.
