A bill that would give tax breaks to corporate data centers has support from the Cornerstone Alliance.
Group President Rob Cleveland traveled to Lansing this week to testify in favor of House Bills 4905 and 4906. The bill would create sales and use tax exemptions for large data centers.
Cleveland said Berrien County has many ideal locations for such an operation.
“Many developers and data center companies here in Michigan are already considering it and are waiting for the law to change,” Cleveland said. “They also have locations in other parts of the Midwest, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana. So we're missing out.”
Cleveland said large data centers use a lot of water and electricity, but have little other footprint.
“Data centers require very few public services and large investments. So from a local government perspective, they are the best type of companies to hire. ”
Cleveland said most states grant such tax exemptions to centers, meaning Michigan is behind the curve on this issue.
Both bills passed the Michigan House of Representatives last year and are now before the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee. State Rep. Joey Andrews and Berean County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford were also present to testify about them.