Cornerstone Alliance is hailing Michigan House passage of legislation to give a tax break to large data centers.
Group President Rob Cleveland tells us the legislation would exempt data center equipment from the use tax and sales tax if the data center meets certain qualifications.
“The data center legislation that was passed is game changing, and we would not even be considered for data center projects without the support and guidance of Joey Andrews in this legislation that was supported by Representative Pauline Wendzel as well.”
Cleveland says 34 other states have laws like this, making them much more attractive for investment by data centers. That’s because the centers replace millions of dollars of equipment on a regular basis and without the exemption on equipment, their taxes would be astronomical.
Cornerstone Alliance is looking to attract a data center to Benton Township.
“We have a really great site in Benton Township that’s over 250 acres and we’re working with the property owner and a developer always to find projects there. We’re working on an electric vehicle project for that site. We’re working on data center projects for that site.”
Cleveland says southwest Michigan would be an attractive location for data centers if Michigan offered the same tax exemptions as the 34 other states.
The bills were approved by the House Thursday and now head to the Senate.
