A proposed advanced computing campus valued at $1.25 billion has sparked significant opposition from local officials in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The facility is set to include a 230,000-square-foot federal research center, a 50,000-square-foot space for nonclassified research by University of Michigan students and faculty, and a new electrical substation. Construction is slated to commence in 2028.
The project stems from a partnership between the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), which entered a five-year, $15 million research contract with the university in 2024. This collaboration aims to advance computing technologies, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and national security. Proponents of the campus argue it will create hundreds of research and construction jobs, while also facilitating significant scientific advancements.
Despite these promises, local leaders in Ypsilanti, the community expected to host the project, are voicing strong objections. The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in August 2023 urging both the University of Michigan and LANL to reconsider the campus’s location. Subsequently, the Ypsilanti City Council adopted its own resolution in late October 2023, expressing concerns over the facility’s potential involvement in nuclear weapons development.
The funding for the $1.25 billion project consists of $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 financed through mechanisms facilitated by the university, as stated by Kay Jarvis, Director of Public Affairs at the University of Michigan.
Jarvis emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, 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 highlighted the university’s longstanding commitment to high-performance computing research, albeit at a smaller scale, asserting the need for enhanced computing speeds and capacity to tackle increasingly complex issues.
The University of Michigan enjoys exemptions from local zoning regulations, granting it considerable autonomy in project development, according to a publication from the university’s Department of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. Jarvis confirmed that two potential sites are under evaluation, with the final decision to be made jointly by the university and LANL.
Local activists, such as Vidhya Aravind, a member of the opposition group Stop the Data Center, have expressed concerns over the project’s implications. Aravind pointed out that the classified nature of some research aspects obscures critical details, including environmental impacts and water usage. Data centers, which support high-level computing, often require significant cooling, leading to varying demands for water and power.
She noted, “Everything is under NDA. They’re just keeping everyone in the dark about what exactly it is they’re building.” While Michigan has a wealth of freshwater resources compared to New Mexico, Aravind is apprehensive about the cumulative effects of multiple data center projects being considered throughout the state.
“It is becoming a statewide issue that needs state-level change,” Aravind stated. “The rapid expansions are occurring without sufficient oversight, raising concerns not just locally but on a national scale.” The unfolding debate over the computing campus reflects broader discussions surrounding the implications of artificial intelligence and advanced technology, emphasizing the need for transparency and community engagement in such significant developments.
