Power
Power and the grid
None energized or contracted yet
DTE Energy via a dedicated on-site substationPlanned, substation blocked locally
starts near 50 MW, 100 MW ceiling per the university; DTE had filed no substation application with the township as of Aug. 18 (press) News report · Aug. 2026
Proposed
Permits
Permits checklist
1 pending · 1 checked, nothing on file
Approvals a campus like this normally needs, and what we found.
- ◷Final project approval PendingUniversity of Michigan Board of Regents · Oct. 2, 2026: no final approval as of Oct. 2, 2026 News report · Oct. 2026
- –Checked, nothing on file: Local zoning and site plan
Risks
What could slow it down
- HighTownship and community oppositionThe township board voted to oppose the project in Mar. and June 2026, and its attorney says the board authorized all legal means to stop it (press). News report · Oct. 2026
- HighSubstation and utility pausesA township moratorium on major electric utility facilities and a utilities authority pause on water and sewer service both target the project's infrastructure. News report · Aug. 2026
- MediumZoning exemption is contestedThe university asserts it is exempt from local zoning and taxes, and the document describing this calls the legal question central to the dispute. State agency · Sept. 2026
- MediumState grant and internal dissentA legislator moved to rescind the $100 million grant, about 900 university community members petitioned, and a regent publicly dissented (press). News report · March 2026
Money
Money on record
$300M
contribution from the national laboratory
the university adds $220 million and facilitates $630 million of financing Company · Dec. 2024
$100M
state site readiness grant
rescission bill introduced Dec. 2025 (press) State agency · Dec. 2024
Timeline
What happened, and what is due
SitePaper trailConstructionPowerPermitsMoneyLegalUpcoming
- Dec. 2024Money Michigan Strategic Fund board approves a $100 million site readiness grant for the university State agency · Dec. 2024
- June 12, 2025Site University regents unanimously approve buying about 124 acres at $65,000 per developable acre News report · June 2025
- March 2026Legal Ypsilanti Township board unanimously adopts a resolution opposing the project News report · March 2026
- April 22, 2026Permits Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority passes a resolution for a minimum 12-month moratorium on water and sewer service to data centers (press) News report · April 2026
- Aug. 11, 2026Site University confirms the Textile Road site as its selected location, dropping the Willow Run alternative Company · Aug. 2026
- Aug. 18, 2026Permits Township board unanimously passes a 180-day moratorium on major electric utility facilities needing township approval (press) News report · Aug. 2026
- Oct. 2, 2026Legal A university regent joins protesters; no final project approval has issued News report · Oct. 2026
The buildings
Specs
Who is involved
Owners, partners and builders
Owners
- University of Michigan: owner and builder
- Los Alamos National Laboratory: federal research partner and co-funder
Power
- DTE Energy: serving utility, building a dedicated substation with the university
Opponents and decision-makers
- Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees: formal opposition and moratorium
- University of Michigan Board of Regents: final authority
- Paul Brown: regent who joined protesters (press)
Still unknown
Open questions
- Whether the regents give final approval.
- DTE's substation application and a power agreement.
- How the zoning exemption and moratoriums are resolved.
Where this comes from
68 records from 27 documents
Drawn from news reports, company statements, state agency records and local government records, each kept with its date and source. The bar shows documents by type.
News report 15Company 7State agency 3Local government 2
Evidence
Every quote behind this page
Grade key: A = the primary record itself (permit, filing, exhibit) · B = a dated official statement · C = news reporting. Map distances are our own measurements on OpenStreetMap and carry no grade. Allegations in lawsuits are marked as such in the quotes.
Power (6)
- Utility service: 100 MW“This facility will use less than 1/10th the energy of commercial data centers, starting at 50 megawatts with a maximum planned capacity of 100 megawatts.”Company · Aug. 2026 · grade B
- Utility water status: YCUA 12-month moratorium (Apr 22, 2026) covers high-performance computational centers as a category; U-M states municipal water would be purchased through YCUA“Any municipal water required for operations will be purchased through the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA)”Company · April 2026 · grade B
- U-M plans the facility to start around 50 MW and reach a 100 MW ceiling; local zoning review does not reach the university, so opposition runs through water, permits and the legislature“The project is planned to start around 50 megawatts and reach a 100 MW ceiling.”News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
- Press reports describe a 100 MW facility (Planet Detroit) and a proposed 110 MW substation discussed Aug 18 (Sun Times News)“Township officials discussed a proposed 110-megawatt substation associated with the project but said DTE had not filed an application for the location as of Aug. 18.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- Power path and its obstacle: U-M will partner with DTE Energy to build a dedicated on-site substation; load ramps from ~50 MW to a 100 MW ceiling (current U-M FAQ; a 110 MW ceiling was reported in Mar 2026). On Aug 18, 2“According to a news release from U-M, the university will partner with DTE Energy to build a dedicated, on-site substation to support the data center project”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- YCUA's April 2026 moratorium explicitly covers high-performance computational centers as a category, not only the U-M project by name“The approved moratorium, Resolution 26-08, concerns hyperscale data centers, mid-sized data centers, artificial intelligence computing facilities and high-performance computational centers.”News report · April 2026 · grade C
Money and contracts (11)
- Planned investment: $1.25 billion“The $1.25 billion investment will give scientists the computing power needed to solve the world's most complex challenges”Company · Aug. 2026 · grade B
- state grant: Strategic Site Readiness Program performance-based grant for site readiness 100000000 USD“The MSF Board today approved a $100 million Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) performance-based grant for the University of Michigan (U-M)”State agency · Dec. 2024 · grade B
- project partnership / funding split: contributions toward the $1.25 billion project 1250000000 USD“Los Alamos National Laboratory, which will directly contribute $300 million, and from U-M, which will provide direct contributions of $220 million and facilitate the financing of the remaining $630 million.”Company · Dec. 2024 · grade B
- MSF SSRP grant to U-M - $100M amount: grant amount Michigan Strategic Fund Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) grant to the University of Michigan: $100 million performance-based SSRP grant earmarked for site develop“The state of Michigan will provide $100 million through a Strategic Site Readiness Program grant earmarked for site development, construction and other related activities”Company · Dec. 2024 · grade B
- U-M / LANL project funding agreement - $1.25B funding split: funding split U-M / Los Alamos National Laboratory project funding agreement: Total investment estimated at $1.25 billion: LANL direct contribution $300 millio“Under an agreement between LANL and U-M, the national laboratory will directly contribute $300 million. U-M will provide direct contributions of $220 million and facilitate the financing of $630 million.”Company · Dec. 2024 · grade B
- Tenant: University of Michigan (academic center) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (federal research center) - owner-occupants; there is no commercial tenant“The $1.25 billion project would house two facilities, an academic center for U-M researchers and students and a federal research center for the work of Los Alamos National Laboratory.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- $1.25B project supported by a $100M state (MEDC) grant; township leaders urged the state to pull the grant“The project, funded with $100 million in taxpayer money, is a partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory, which performs national security research.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- Ypsilanti Township formally opposes the project (board resolution Mar 31, 2026); township pressed to pull the $100M state grant, Rep. Dingell wrote at least three letters, ~900 U-M employees/faculty/students petitioned,“Behind the statements: a year of township board resolutions, at least three letters from Rep. Debbie Dingell, a petition from roughly 900 U-M employees, faculty and students”News report · March 2026 · grade C
- U-M finalized / closed the purchase of the 124 acres in March 2026; Township Supervisor Stumbo learned of it by text message, per township officials at the September town hall“U of M finalized the purchase of the 124 acres in March, informing Stumbo by text message.”News report · March 2026 · grade C
- Legislative effort to rescind the SSRP grant (introduced Dec 2025; not an executed agreement): rescission effort Legislative effort to rescind the SSRP grant (not an executed agreement): Legislation introduced in Decembe“In December, state Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr., D-Ypsilanti, introduced legislation to rescind a $100-million Michigan Strategic Fund and Michigan Economic Development Corp. grant”News report · Dec. 2025 · grade C
- MSF SSRP grant to U-M - purpose (site readiness, Ypsilanti Township): grant purpose Michigan Strategic Fund Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) grant to the University of Michigan: Grant is to begin readying land in“The MSF Board today approved a $100 million Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) performance-based grant for the University of Michigan (U-M) to begin readying land in Ypsilanti Township”News report · Dec. 2024 · grade C
Permits and government (14)
- Project status: announced only - planning and design phase; preferred site selected Aug 11, 2026; no construction (construction expected late 2027, initial operations 2030 per U-M FAQ)“The project remains in the planning and design phase.”Company · Aug. 2026 · grade B
- Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees:“frustration, fear, and anger culminated on June 16, 2026, when the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees voted to formally oppose the project”State agency · June 2026 · grade B
- Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees:“hereby formally requests and urges YCUA to immediately impose a moratorium of not less than 12 months on the delivery, commitment, reservation, extension, or approval of water and sewer services”Local government · April 2026 · grade B
- real estate purchase authorization: Approved“19.82 acres at 10221 Textile Road in Ypsilanti Township, and 6.03 acres at 6630 Rawsonville Road in Ypsilanti Township”Company · Oct. 2024 · grade B
- U-M Regent Paul Brown joined protesters opposing the project (Oct 2026) and said a public university should not build a project in a community where it is unwanted; the Board of Regents retains final authority to stop or“The project is still awaiting approval. As of October 2, 2026, no final approval had been issued.”News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
- Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees:“The Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees approved a 180-day moratorium Aug. 18 on establishing, constructing or substantially expanding major electric utility facilities when those projects require township approval.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- The University of Michigan's high-performance research computing center with Los: DTE service with a dedicated substation; load starts ~50 MW, ceiling 100 MW; no MPSC special contract filed“The project is planned to start around 50 megawatts and reach a 100 MW ceiling.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- water / sewer service moratorium: Adopted (12 months)“On April 22, 2026, the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority passed a resolution proposing a minimum 12-month moratorium on providing water and sewage services to data centers.”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority Board of Commissioners:“On April 22, 2026, the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority passed a resolution proposing a minimum 12-month moratorium on providing water and sewage services to data centers.”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- As a public university U-M is exempt from local zoning requirements, so the project does not require township approval; no rezoning or site plan approval for this campus exists or was applied for in sources retrieved“As a public university, U of M is exempt from local zoning requirements — meaning the project does not require township approval.”News report · April 2026 · grade C
- Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees:“Approved minutes from the March 31 special meeting show the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2026-05 after 19 public comments”News report · March 2026 · grade C
- In August 2025 the township board passed a resolution objecting to construction at the Huron River / Textile Road site and recommending relocation to the American Center for Mobility near Willow Run; the board hardened t“The Ypsilanti Township board passed a resolution in August 2025 objecting to construction of the data center at the Huron River site, and recommended relocation to the American Center for Mobility”News report · Aug. 2025 · grade C
- real estate purchase authorization: Approved“The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the purchase of the 124 acres at 10455 and 10635 Textile Rd. on June 12, 2025”News report · June 2025 · grade C
- University of Michigan Board of Regents:“On June 12, 2025, the Board of Regents unanimously approved the purchase of two parcels totaling approximately 124 acres at $65,000 per developable acre.”News report · June 2025 · grade C
Legal (2)
- Ypsilanti Township board has authorized its attorney to use all legal means available to stop the project; the township opposes a LANL facility anywhere in the township“Winters said the township is resilient, and the board has authorized his office “to use all legal means available to stop this data center.””News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
- Township attorney Doug Winters: the board has authorized his office to use all legal means available to stop this data center“Winters said the township is resilient, and the board has authorized his office “to use all legal means available to stop this data center.””News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
Site and other (9)
- Site location: 144-acre site along Textile Road, near Bridge Road, Ypsilanti Township, MI - selected as the preferred site Aug 11, 2026“The University of Michigan has selected a 144-acre site along Textile Road, near Bridge Road, in Ypsilanti Township as the preferred location”Company · Aug. 2026 · grade B
- Facility composition: Two computing centers: a federal research center for Los Alamos National Laboratory and a smaller academic center for U-M researchers and students“The center will house two complementary computing environments: an academic computing center supporting U-M researchers and students, and a federal research computing center supporting Los Alamos National Laboratory's scientific mission.”Company · Aug. 2026 · grade B
- Timeline: Construction expected to begin in late 2027, with initial operations anticipated in 2030“Construction is expected to begin in late 2027, with initial operations anticipated in 2030.”Company · Aug. 2026 · grade B
- Land assembled: 19.82 acres at 10221 Textile Road plus 6.03 acres at 6630 Rawsonville Road approved Oct 17, 2024; a further 124-acre Textile Road parcel purchased (closed Mar 2026)“19.82 acres at 10221 Textile Road in Ypsilanti Township, and 6.03 acres at 6630 Rawsonville Road in Ypsilanti Township”Company · March 2026 · grade B
- County code: 26161“readying land in Ypsilanti Township (Washtenaw County) for a high-performance computing facility”State agency · Dec. 2024 · grade B
- U-M announced the Textile Road site as its preferred / selected site on August 11 2026 after evaluating the American Center for Mobility (Willow Run) alternative, which it dropped over brownfield redevelopment requiremen“U-M, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other partners worked to determine whether the site could be made viable, but doing so would have required a level of local government partnership and support”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- Aug 11, 2026: U-M confirmed the 144-acre Textile Road site (near South Hydro Park / Huron River) over the American Center for Mobility / Willow Run alternative, which was dropped over brownfield and real estate issues“The University of Michigan has confirmed selection of the 144-acre parcel of land next to South Hydro Park in Ypsilanti Township for its supercomputing facility project to be built in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- Regent Paul Brown publicly opposed his own institution's Textile Road site choice on the day it was announced (Aug 11, 2026)“Regent Paul Brown publicly opposed his own institution's choice the day it was announced.”News report · Aug. 2026 · grade C
- A U-M official previously told Planet Detroit the project could use up to 500,000 gallons of water a day (reported in coverage of the township's water moratorium request)“A University of Michigan official previously told Planet Detroit its project could use up to 500,000 gallons of water a day.”News report · April 2026 · grade C