MARCH 2026

• March 3rd - Microsoft held an open house in Gaines Township.  About 12 tables were setup in a U shape, each with a Microsoft representative speaking about various aspects of data center developments, the majority of the representatives were from out of state.

• March 5th - The same representatives from Microsoft held an open house in Lowell at the Fairway of Kent County.  It was verbally confirmed they have been working on this development for the last ~2 years.  Microsoft released the first conceptual drawing of the site plan, which included an new building between Morse Lake and Snow Ave, putting the estimated campus building count at 6.  At 250MW, this campus would consume >2x more electricity that all Kent County residents.

• March 9th - Lowell Twp Planning Commission Meeting - This was the first time the planning commission held a public meeting since November 2025.  The Dec, Jan and Feb meeting minutes were approved.  The approved minutes deleted Microsoft’s original rezoning application from the public record, as though it were never brought forth..  A saved a copy can be found here.

• March 16th - An estimated 75 people attended and 20 people spoke at this meeting, it last just over 2 hours.  Lowell Twp Board Meeting - 2 Township Clerk and a Trustee were expected to tour an Arizona Data Center facility in March.  We hope to learn more about their observations at the April Planning Commission and Board meetings.  Several topics such as upgrades to allow for recorded meetings & accessibility access were discussed.

• March 18th - Microsoft applied for conditional rezoning at their property in Gaines; they additionally purchased 50 more acres and 3 residential properties.  The conditions set forth in their conditional rezoning application may offer a preview of the conditions that Lowell can expect.

• March 22nd - It was confirmed by Jerry Hale that an aquifer study was not conducted at Covenant Business Park, in spite of the Township and City falsely stating that “An aquifer study concluded there is limited water available at the development site”.

• March 27th - The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a $276.6 million rate increase for Consumers Energy.  Consumers Energy initially sought permission to raise rates by 13%.  Residential customer electricity rates will increase by 8.9% beginning May 1st. source

• March 28th - Members of the No Lowell Data Center group setup a booth at the Lowell EXPO to talk and listen to the community.  Informal polling results indicated 95% of attendees being against the Data Center development.

• March 30th - Jerry Hale said today that Microsoft had not yet submit an application in Lowell for conditional rezoning or otherwise.  

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