Howell AI Data Center: Project Splitrock

At a November 20th, 2025 board meeting, Howell Township voted unanimously to place a six month moratorium on any data center development project. This move came after over 2,200 county residents signed a petition demanding a moratorium.

Unfortunately, the moratorium the board approved was not the moratorium local residents had asked for. It specifically excluded rezoning of the site from the moratorium–which means that rezoning of the land from agricultural to heavy industrial could proceed, even with the moratorium in effect. Local residents and organizers expressed their disappointment in this addition.

During the board meeting, Livingston County Road Commissioner Paul Funk made comments about the road commission’s initial work with the developer. He stated that the developer found their recommended design posed an “undue hardship.” The developer also asked the Road Commission to “consider moving the Grand River,” which runs adjacent to the southern portion of the property.

Regarding the AI data center project, Commissioner Funk concluded by stating: “I’ll be a hard no on any vote.”

December 8th is the next Howell Township Board meeting, where the board will be voting on whether or not to rezone the property from agricultural to heavy “research and technology” industrial. Local residents are urged to express their concerns to local officials, and to express themselves in person at the meeting on the 8th.

Local residents interested in volunteering their time can sign up to get involved here.