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Lowell Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on January 12 at 6 p.m. regarding a data center project at Covenant Park, 4687 Alden Nash Ave. SE. The meeting location is Lowell High School Performing Arts Center, 11700 Vergennes St.

SE. This hearing follows the cancellation of a previously scheduled meeting on December 8 due to overcapacity, where over 100 residents expressed their disapproval of the project. The 235.35-acre site was initially designated for a business park but has shifted focus to data centers.

Local officials estimate the project could attract up to $1 billion in investment over three to five years. Franklin Partners has a confidentiality agreement with the interested company, and no purchase agreement has been signed.

Residents are concerned about the water and electricity consumption of data centers, especially given existing summer water restrictions. The city and township are considering a $17 million upgrade to water and sewer treatment plants, with potential funding from tax revenues generated by the data center.