LRCC Highlights Findings Supporting Deep Green Data Center Ahead of April 6 Vote
LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) today called attention to a new report examining the real-world impacts of data center development in communities across the United States, citing its findings as strong evidence that the proposed Deep Green data center project will be a positive and responsible addition to the city of Lansing.
The report, “Data Center Impact in Local Communities,” was prepared by DZ Strategy Management for The Right Place, the regional economic development organization serving the seven-county Greater Grand Rapids region. It is based on a survey of municipal leaders in communities that host Microsoft data centers, drawing on responses from mayors, city managers, planning officials, and economic development leaders across the country.
The report’s findings demonstrate that the proposed Deep Green data center project represents a significant opportunity for the City of Lansing. The project is projected to generate $1.9 million in annual revenue to support local public services. The increased funding expands Lansing’s tax base to support infrastructure, public safety, debt reduction and other local needs.
“This report should give the Lansing community a high degree of confidence that the Deep Green data center will be a great neighbor,” said Tim Daman, President and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The communities surveyed couldn’t be clearer: responsible data center development delivers substantial, lasting benefits with minimal impact. For a city looking to strengthen its tax base and fund vital services without placing additional burdens on residents, this is exactly the kind of project the Lansing City Council should approve. The Lansing Regional Chamber enthusiastically supports moving this project forward.”
Based on the experiences of comparable communities surveyed in the report, Lansing residents can expect that the proposed Deep Green 24MW heat reuse data center will require minimal ongoing city services, generate little noise, place no meaningful strain on the city’s water infrastructure, and bring construction-phase employment and contracting opportunities for local workers and businesses.
Key Findings:
The survey was sent to 13 communities and received eight responses (69% response rate). Respondents gave data centers an average overall experience rating of 8.5 out of 10, with municipalities citing significant tax base expansion, major capital investment, and minimal ongoing service demands as the primary key drivers of satisfaction.
Among the report’s most notable findings:
- Transformational fiscal impact: Properties that previously generated only tens of thousands of dollars in annual property taxes now produce produce millions per year following data center development, significantly strengthening municipal finances.
- Low demand on public services: Unlike residential or commercial development, data centers generate minimal traffic, have little to no impact on school enrollment, and require few emergency service calls. This allows communities to receive substantial revenue with minimal strain on resources.
- Minimal noise and light pollution: Noise and light pollution were rated at an average of just 2.0 out of 10 by the communities surveyed. Modern data center designs incorporate effective mitigation features, with most concerns limited to the construction phase.
- Modest water usage: Respondents overwhelmingly reported no significant strain on municipal water or wastewater systems. One official noted that a local car wash uses approximately 40 times more water annually than a typical data center.
- Strong corporate citizenship: Data center operators receive an average rating of 8.0 out of 10 as corporate partners, with officials recognizing philanthropic contributions, workforce development programs, infrastructure investments, and active community engagement.
About the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce: The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce works to help businesses connect, grow, and thrive. For 125 years, the Chamber has served as the voice of the Greater Lansing business community. More information about the Chamber and its programs and services can be found online at lansingchamber.org
