© 2026 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A pause on data centers, before they even ask

Matt Rine takes questions about his idea for a data center in Kalkaska from a crowd gathered at Garfield Township Town Hall and Library in Fife Lake. (Photo: Claire Keenan-Kurgan/IPR)
Claire Keenan-Kurgan
/
IPR File Photo
When a developer proposed a data center project last year in Kalkaska, a big crowd turned out to oppose the idea. Hayes Township, a couple counties away, is putting a hold on data centers before one has even approached them. (File photo: Claire Keenan-Kurgan/IPR)

As far as anyone knows, there's no data center eager to locate in Hayes Township, north of Charlevoix. Still, community officials have imposed a 180-day moratorium on such projects. Why?

IPR's Claire Keenan-Kurgan listened in on a township meeting and heard what members of the public have to say. Some even worried that just talking about the topic might pique the interest of developers.

We'll also chat with Matt Schlomer, founder and artistic director of IPR's Sound Garden Project, about a new partnership that's bringing top musicians to northern Michigan.


Producer: Austin Rowlader
Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Claire joined Interlochen Public Radio in summer 2024. She covers general assignment news with a focus on labor, growth, and the economy of northern Michigan.
Ed Ronco is IPR's news director and the local host of "Morning Edition."