The idea to put a data center near downtown Kalkaska is still in its earliest stages, but the public is invited to weigh in at a series of forums next week.
The proposal is to build a data center, power plant and a carbon capture system to store emissions from the power plant underground.
The state of Michigan is incentivizing data center development right now, and many towns across the state are debating proposals like this one.
Data center developers across the state are promising millions of dollars in tax revenue and hundreds of jobs in small townships.
But opponents have concerns about data centers using up unparalleled quantities of energy and water, and about the power plants they require causing air pollution.
Others say it is hard to be certain about how strong the demand for data centers, which are built to power artificial intelligence, will ultimately turn out to be.
Join the conversation
The meetings will feature a presentation and Q&A with Matt Rine, who has spearheaded the initiative to bring a data center to Kalkaska.
Rine is the CEO of Rocklocker, a carbon capture company that is a subsidiary of Reefworks, an oil and gas company here in northern Michigan.
Meetings will be held at three locations in Kalkaska County next week — two through the Kalkaska Libraries and one at the County Commission on Aging.
Monday, November 17th at 5:30 p.m.
Garfield Township Hall/Library
466 West Sharon Road Southeast
Fife Lake, Michigan 49633
Wednesday, November 19 at 12:15 p.m.
Kalkaska County Commission on Aging
303 S Coral St
Kalkaska, MI 49646
Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Coldsprings Township Hall
6515 County Rd 571
Mancelona, MI 49659
