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KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- Microsoft has confirmed plans to develop a data center in Kent County. The tech giant purchased over 300 acres of land in October 2024, located at Patterson Avenue and 76th Street in Gaines Township, for $45.3 million from Steelcase. Microsoft has now submitted a request to rezone a 40.5-acre parcel of this land from large-scale planned unit development to light industrial, aligning it with an adjacent light industrial parcel. The Gaines Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the rezoning request on Thursday (December 18).
The data center will serve as a hub for computer hardware, servers, and network equipment, supporting artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Microsoft has yet to finalize detailed plans and construction timelines, but is working with local partners to advance the project.
The project is expected to enhance the local economy by increasing property values and adding to the tax base with minimal demands on infrastructure. Gaines Township is already home to Michigan's largest data center, operated by Switch, and has been recognized for its understanding of data center operations. The rezoning request is part of a broader trend of data center development in Michigan, with other projects emerging across the state.