News photo by Josh Jambor Pictured is 1010 Technology Center, Inc on U.S.-23 North, which is a former bank building converted into a secure, masonry-concrete data center. The center provides the following services: colocation, internet circuits, VoIP systems, remote IT support, and managed services for businesses, schools, and municipalities in Northern Michigan.

ALPENA – Local officials say they have not been approached about building any large new data centers in the area.

The community does have one smaller data center already in operation. The 1010 Technology Center on US 23 North stores computer data for local businesses, schools, and municipalities in Northern Michigan.

Data centers are facilities packed with computer servers that store and process massive amounts of information, especially to support artificial intelligence, according to the Detroit Metro Times. Tech companies are pursuing such projects across the country, including Michigan.

The Detroit Metro Times also reported that in other parts of the state, residents and officials have raised concerns about data centers such as electricity demands leading to an increase in cost; large volumes of water needed for cooling servers; noise from fans and backup generators; added traffic and strain on the roads and water systems; loss of farmland or changes to rural landscapes.

Alpena Township Supervisor Abbi Kaszubowski said the township has not been contacted about any new data center projects.

“At this time, we have not been made aware of any plans to construct a data center within the Charter Township of Alpena,” Kaszubowski said.

She added that any future proposal would go through standard reviews.

“We have not received any formal proposals, applications, or requests related to such a project,” Kaszubowski said. “If information is submitted in the future, it will be reviewed through the appropriate public processes and in accordance with township ordinances and regulations.”

City of Alpena Mayor Cindy Johnson also said she is not aware of any outreach from developers.

“As far as I am aware, we have not been approached,” Johnson said.

Chairman of the Board for the Alpena County Commissioners, John Kozlowski, also said that he is unaware of any data center proposals at this time.

“I have not had anyone reach out to me personally regarding a data center in Alpena County,” he said.

The News reached out to State Representative Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, for a statement. However, he was unable to provide a statement prior to print deadline.

Some townships have approved temporary moratoriums on new data centers while they update their rules, according to past reporting by WKAR Public Media. State lawmakers have introduced bills for a one-year statewide pause to study the impacts, but those measures were still under discussion as of Tuesday.

Michigan law does not allow communities to completely ban data centers, also according to WKAR Public Media. Local governments can regulate where they are built, how large they can be, and what protections are required through zoning, but they generally cannot prohibit them outright. Tax incentives are available for large projects, which can make them attractive to developers.

Alpena County residents can stay informed by attending township or county board meetings and contacting planning staff.

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.