Delhi Township ends LEAP membership after surprise data center announcement

Overview

Updated 2 hours ago

Delhi Township, Michigan ended its membership in the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) on Wednesday, one day after the group announced a $10 billion data center exploration for the township. Township Manager Tracy Miller said the community learned of the plan at the same time as the media.

The board of trustees meets Friday to vote on a resolution formally opposing any data center in the township. A 12-month moratorium on data center projects runs through April 2027, giving LEAP and its partner, Colorado-based Lighthouse Sustainability, about six months to win over residents.

Why it matters

A surprise $10 billion data center proposal has split Delhi Township, pitting development money against residents who say they were never consulted.

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Key Indicators

$10B

Potential data center investment

Reported size of the proposed College Road project.

700 MW

Proposed data center capacity

Lighthouse cofounder Tom Dorris outlined the 700-megawatt concept at a public meeting.

423 acres

Proposed site size

The site is off College Road in Delhi Township.

$53M

Projected annual revenue

Dorris said the data center would generate $53 million a year.

12 months

Data center moratorium

Township moratorium on data center proposals runs through April 2027.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Tracy Miller

Delhi Charter Township Manager

Ended the township's LEAP membership effective immediately

Tom Dorris

Cofounder, Lighthouse Sustainability

Leading the proposed data center project

Organizations Involved

Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)

Regional economic development organization

Lost Delhi Township's membership after announcing the data center exploration

Regional group that markets the Lansing area and recruits businesses and investment.

Lighthouse Sustainability

Private development company

Proposing the Delhi Township data center with LEAP

Colorado-based private company proposing the data center project.

Delhi Charter Township

Local government (charter township)

Ended LEAP membership; considering formal opposition to the data center

The Ingham County, Michigan township that includes Holt, with a moratorium on data center proposals.

Timeline

April 2026 October 2026

4 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Trustees scheduled to vote on opposing data centers
Upcoming Vote

Board of Trustees special meeting to consider a resolution voicing official opposition to data center development.
In 2 days • 5:30 PM
Delhi Township ends LEAP membership
Today Statement

Township Manager Tracy Miller announces the membership ends immediately, a day after the announcement.
Today
LEAP and Lighthouse announce data center exploration
Announcement

Groups reveal plans for a $10 billion data center on 423 acres off College Road.
Yesterday
April 2026
Township adopts data center moratorium
Policy

A 12-month moratorium on data center proposals takes effect, scheduled to end April 2027.
April 2026

Scenarios

Delhi Township trustees formally oppose the data center

Likely Resolves by Oct 30, 2026

Discussed by: WKAR; the township posted the resolution ahead of the Friday meeting

The board meets Friday at 5:30 p.m. to consider the posted resolution, which states official opposition to any data center development and calls on LEAP and Lighthouse to end their efforts. The resolution cites Dorris's statement that the developers would drop plans if the community opposed them. Approval would put the board on record against the project and strengthen the township's hand when the moratorium ends.

Lighthouse and LEAP withdraw the Delhi Township proposal

Possible Resolves by Apr 30, 2027

Discussed by: WKAR; Dorris said at the public meeting they would drop plans if the community opposed it

If the Friday resolution passes and the six-month engagement campaign fails to move public opinion, LEAP and Lighthouse could walk away. Dorris said at the public meeting the developers would drop the plans if the community opposed the project. A withdrawal would end the dispute before the moratorium expires in April 2027.

Delhi Township data center wins approval after moratorium ends

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2028

Discussed by: WKAR; LEAP and Lighthouse plan a six-month engagement campaign to build support

If the engagement campaign wins over residents, the township could let the moratorium lapse or lift it, then negotiate a development agreement for the College Road site. The pitch includes a $20 million community fund, free rooftop solar for county residents and 90 acres of preserved nature. Buildout of the 700-megawatt center would take years.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2023

Prince William County, Virginia data center fight (2023)

After approving data centers for years in one of the world's largest data center markets, Prince William County's board blocked a large project near Manassas National Battlefield Park in 2023. Residents had organized over noise, well water and the loss of rural land.

Then

The county redirected data center growth away from the battlefield and tightened its zoning rules.

Now

The reversal became a national reference point for data center opposition and pushed developers toward earlier community outreach.

Why this matters now

Shows a locality that once welcomed data centers can reverse course when residents mobilize, which is what Delhi Township is now attempting.

2026

Michigan's Data Center Divide (2026)

WKAR's ongoing series 'Michigan's Data Center Divide' documents how data center proposals are splitting communities across the state over land use, power demand and tax incentives.

Then

The series reports local siting fights as they unfold, including the Delhi Township dispute.

Now

Data center siting has become a recurring issue in Michigan local politics.

Why this matters now

Places the Delhi Township fight within a statewide pattern of communities weighing data center dollars against local concerns.