Biz Leaders Push Data Centers, Warning Michigan May Miss ‘Golden Ticket’

Biz leaders push data centers, warning Michigan may miss ‘golden ticket’

Despite data center protests on the mainland, business leaders at a Mackinac Island conference urged elected officials and candidates to back proposed projects — even as policymaker misgivings grow.

Mackinac panelists pitch data centers as ‘golden tickets’ – environmental advocates remain skeptical

As business leaders from throughout the state gathered on Mackinac Island for their annual confab centered on solving the state’s political and economic issues, the question of data centers was one of many up for debate. In recent years, opposition…

Mackinac Policy Conference: Data center developers blast moratoriums, '30 township residents' who oppose projects - The Midwesterner

Data center builder John Rakolta thinks local government leaders are “not representing what’s in the best interests” of their constituents when imposing moratoriums, and are “just folding like tents” to “placate 30 people” who oppose the facilities. “The ones that we’ve seen succeed, … are Google, they’re transparent, they’re in the meetings explaining things in good detail so that they are calming citizens’ fears of the unknown,” he said Wednes…

Mackinac panelists pitch data centers as ‘golden tickets’ – environmental advocates remain skeptical - Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise

Former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Walbridge President John Rakolta III, Google Data Center Market Development and Policy Head Liz Schwab and Detroit Regional Chamber Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer Glenn Stevens Jr. speak at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 27, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)As business leaders from throughout the state gathered on Mackinac Island for their annual co…

Mackinac panelists pitch data centers as ‘golden tickets’ – environmental advocates remain skeptical - The Mexico Ledger

Former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Walbridge President John Rakolta III, Google Data Center Market Development and Policy Head Liz Schwab and Detroit Regional Chamber Chief Automotive and Innovation Officer Glenn Stevens Jr. speak at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 27, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)As business leaders from throughout the state gathered on Mackinac Island for their annual co…