Public backlash coupled with anonymous threats have halted plans for a data center near Kalkaska.
Matt Rine and his company, Rocklocker, proposed the data center through a consortium called Kalkaska Go.
Rine's work is focused on carbon sequestration, and he hoped the data center could operate with net-zero carbon emissions and use less water than other projects.
Before purchasing land or making formal plans, Rine began by seeking public feedback, telling IPR he hoped to avoid a situation like the one playing out in Saline Township, where residents are fighting a project that’s already far along.
He wanted buy-in from the community. And while he had initial support from the county commission and local economic development officials, Rine heard a much different tune from members of the public.
The feedback at his first session on Monday night was overwhelmingly negative. People expressed concerns about the impact on bodies of water, noise issues and more. State legislators expressed dismay, too.
Another session followed Wednesday afternoon. But by Thursday morning the project was off.
In a statement issued Thursday morning, Rine said his group sought public input, heard that public input, and decided to end its pursuit of a data center.
He was not available for an interview Thursday, but said in a subsequent email to IPR that "it's a shame that an important discussion and community feedback was halted by anonymous threats to Rocklocker personnel and their families."
The email included a statement expanding upon the company's initial announcement from earlier in the day:
