Data Center/AI community forum seems like it is really a pro-Data Centers event

There has been a tremendous amount of push back from communities all across the country try and in West Michigan regarding proposed Data Centers.

In December GRIID interviewed people in Lowell who have been organizing to oppose a proposed Data Center in their community and they have been doing an amazing job pushing back against the proposal at local government meetings.

I recently came across an event, shown here in the flyer on the right. This event will feature panelists, but when I inquired about who will be speaking I have not received a response.

The promotional language for this event on January 22nd states:

“Exploring & unpacking the rapid rise of data centers and their growing role in Michigan’s AI-driven economy. This community conversation, led by some the industry’s brightest minds, will explore the economic opportunities data centers create, the infrastructure and energy challenges they introduce, and the long-term implications for communities, workforce development, and regional competitiveness.”

This narrative seems to be very pro-Data Center, plus the event is being held at Start Garden, which is a DeVos-created entity that has been part of Rick DeVos’ Wakestream Ventures and now operates as the Start Garden Foundation, according to GuideStar.org.

People who are informed and mobilized around opposing Data Centers might want to attend this forum, since the panelists are unlikely to provide substantive critiques or reveal the full community impacts that Data Centers can have.