Lowell Township: Moratorium First Reading
Lowell Township is considering a 6-month moratorium on data center permits. Microsoft (via Franklin Partners) had proposed a project at Covenant Business Park — currently on hold at the developer's request. The Board of Trustees held the first reading of a moratorium ordinance on April 20, 2026.
Data Center Interest in the Lowell Area
Lowell Township and Lowell City, situated along the Flat River in eastern Kent County, have seen exploratory data center interest tied to available rural land, proximity to Grand Rapids fiber infrastructure, and the possibility of renewable energy co-location. The Lowell area is more rural and residential than Cascade or Gaines, making community reaction to industrial-scale development particularly pointed.
No formal data center permit applications have been reported in Lowell Township as of early 2026, but preliminary site assessments and land option agreements have been a topic of discussion at township board level.
Local Context
- Rural character concern: Lowell Township's Master Plan emphasizes agricultural preservation and rural residential character — a harder fit for hyperscale industrial facilities than the more commercially zoned areas of Cascade and Gaines.
- Fiber infrastructure: Dark fiber runs along M-21 and I-96 through the Lowell area, a prerequisite for data center location that has attracted developer attention.
- Water supply: The Flat River watershed raises questions about the impact of large water withdrawals for data center cooling, an issue the Lowell conservation community has flagged.
The Two Sides
- A single large data center could double a rural township's property tax base overnight
- Agricultural land near infrastructure corridors may have limited alternative high-value uses
- Technology jobs and supplier businesses follow data center development
- Rural zoning and infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) are not designed for industrial-scale facilities
- Flat River water withdrawals could harm a river that is already a community asset for fishing and recreation
- Once agricultural land is converted to industrial use it is essentially never restored
What to Watch
- Lowell Township Board: Meetings are held at 12275 Fulton St E, Lowell. Watch agendas for any data center-related zoning text amendments or special land use applications.
- Kent County Conservation District: Would be involved in any review of water withdrawal impacts on the Flat River watershed.
- MPSC interconnection: Grid connection filings give early warning of serious developer intent before local applications are filed.
Lowell Township: Moratorium First Reading
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