Data Center Resources for Michigan Communities
Programs & Services
Data Center Resources
As more Michigan communities consider proposals from data center developers, MEDC has gathered useful information on best practices and relevant policies, including perspectives from our regional and utility partners. These resources are intended to support community planning and considerations around data centers and similar projects, both under active development and as potential opportunities.
Resources for Communities
Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC)
MEDC offers a tested, repeatable process for Michigan communities who want to be ready for development of any kind: planning for new investment and reinvestment, identifying assets and opportunities, and focusing limited resources. Over 80 communities across the state have been certified.
RRC Online Library
Guides to provide communities seeking to build strong planning processes with step-by-step guidance for many aspects, from plan reviews to packaging priority redevelopment sites, including the Best Practices Handbook.
Enterprise Data Center Sales & Use Tax Exemption
Details of the exemption, effective April 2025, that eliminates Michigan’s 6% sales and use tax on eligible data center construction and equipment purchases.
Michigan Data Centers
Explore this website to find data centers located in Michigan by location and owner.
Michigan Data Centers Map
This resource maps data centers from 12 markets in Michigan.
MIT and Heatmap News: Electricity Price Hub
A public data platform providing month-to-month estimates of residential electricity prices and bills for utilities across the US. With data down to the zip code level, the hub empowers people to understand their power costs.
Resources from Community Partners
Ann Arbor SPARK: The Role of Data Centers
An article to help local communities, stakeholders, and residents better understand what data centers are, and what they are not.
The Right Place: Data Centers as Regional Industry
Educational resource to explore how data centers work, what communities can expect, and how their impact is being measured.
Consumers Energy on Michigan Growth
Information on growth in electricity demand due to data centers, including fact sheets on rate protections and data center processes.
DTE Energy on Data Centers and Rate Protection
Information on DTE’s role in supporting data centers and the effects of development on customer rates and reliability.
U-M: What Michigan Local Governments Should Know About Data Centers
Guide to help Michigan local government officials and planners participate in data center siting conversations, from the University of Michigan Center for EmPowering Communities.
AEG: Data Center Development in Michigan
Anderson Economic Group was commissioned by Consumers Energy to complete a credible, independent assessment of the economic and fiscal contributions of a hypothetical data center development in the state. (Feb. 2026)
ULI: Local Guidelines for Data Center Development
This paper from Urban Land Institute seeks to demystify data centers and their purpose while offering a balanced model zoning ordinance for data center development and guidance for local officials, planners, and other municipal decision-makers. (Oct. 2024)
JLARC: Data Centers in Virginia
Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission conducted a study to review the impacts of the data center industry in their state. Their findings are relevant in part to Michigan, suggesting both opportunities and potential challenges. (Dec. 2024)
MEDC Contacts for Personalized Support
MEDC's Regional Business Development Managers
Contact your MEDC Business Development Manager for personalized support and to get connected to additional resources.
Contact your Regional Community Development Team Member
Use the Community Development Manager team map to find your local contact for personalized support.
Economic Development Partners
MEDC works with more than 100 economic development partners across the state. Use this list to find additional local support in your area.