Augusta Township Data Center (Thor Equities)
Augusta Township, Washtenaw County, MIDeveloper: Thor Equities
Also known as Augusta Township hyperscale data center
- Rumored
- Proposed
- Approved
- Under construction
- Operating
New York City-based developer Thor Equities proposed a $1-billion hyperscale data center in Augusta Township, and the township board voted unanimously on July 22, 2025 to conditionally rezone 522 acres for it. Residents forced a referendum, and in the Aug. 4, 2026 vote unofficial results showed 2,314 voters, or 89.5%, opposed the rezoning. The vote, if certified, leaves the properties zoned agricultural residential.
- Stated investment
- $1 billion
Key facts
Size & schedule
| Site size | 522 acres [1] acreage conditionally rezoned by the township board Source excerpt“The Augusta Township board voted unanimously in favor of conditionally rezoning 522 acres for a data center proposed by New York City-based developer Thor Equities July 22, 2025.” |
|---|---|
| Site size | 822 acres [3] total property size as reported in October 2025 Source excerpt“a data center was proposed for an 822-acre property largely in Augusta Township” |
| Buildings | at least 5 [3]Source excerpt“it would include at least five large buildings on what is currently farmland and wetlands” |
| Stated investment | $1 billion [1]Source excerpt“Augusta Township residents will vote on the rezoning of land for a proposed $1-billion hyperscale data center in the Aug. 4 primary” |
Water
| Water use | 1,000,000 gal/day [3] reported as a possible figure ("may consume") Source excerpt“The center may consume 1 million gallons of water daily” |
|---|
Local decisions & site
| Deciding vote | Referendum Aug. 4, 2026: 2,314 (89.5%) opposed the rezoning, 269 (10.4%) supported it (unofficial) [2]Source excerpt“Unofficial results showed 2,314 voters, or 89.5%, opposed the rezoning, while 269, or 10.4%, supported it.” |
|---|---|
| Zoning | Seven parcels rezoned from agricultural residential to general industrial; rezoning overturned by referendum [2]Source excerpt“The Augusta Township Board of Trustees had approved rezoning seven parcels from agricultural residential to general industrial.” |
Figures are as stated by the cited source. Where sources disagree, each figure is shown.
Timeline
Planning commission recommends denying the rezoning [1]
Township board votes unanimously to conditionally rezone 522 acres for the data center [1]
Residents turn in 957 signatures to put the rezoning on the ballot (561 required) [3]
Voters overturn the rezoning in a referendum, per unofficial results [2]
Issues raised
- Residents who circulated petitions said the project's power demands could affect utility rates and reliability and bring noise and air pollution [1]
- The township clerk said the project would generate millions in taxes annually and bring water and sewer lines to parts of the township that lack them [1]
- Residents have submitted petitions seeking to recall all seven township trustees [2]
- Township trustees voted to rezone the property from agricultural to industrial before residents forced a referendum [4]
Sources
- Augusta Township data center battle reaches the ballot next monthPlanet Detroit · Jul 18, 2026 · news
- Weekly Data Center Watch: Augusta Voters Overturn Data Center RezoningThe Sun Times News · Aug 6, 2026 · news
- Tiny Michigan town hopes to stop data center with ballot initiativeBridge Michigan · Oct 14, 2025 · news
- Augusta Township voters to decide fate of data center rezoningWEMU · Jul 22, 2026 · news