The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Saugatuck Township
Mixed Data Center Policies
Michigan offers equipment tax breaks to qualifying data centers, but some require major investment, job, water, and clean-energy commitments. Large electricity users also face separate rates, fees, and cost reviews; some must accept long contracts and minimum payments.
Rating and summary from Michigan statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Saugatuck Township.
unknown · Saugatuck TownshipTemporarily prohibits Saugatuck Township from accepting building-permit or zoning applications for data centers until new data-center zoning rules take effect or six months pass, whichever comes first.Saugatuck Township Ordinance No. 2026-01, Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers
What this means
As proposed, the moratorium would block new data-center building and zoning applications for six months, or until new zoning rules take effect, causing a major delay to new projects. The Township could also extend it if more review time is needed; internal server rooms and telecommunications switching facilities are excluded (moratorium terms).
Timing
- Ends
- Six months following the ordinance’s effective date or upon the effective date of a newly adopted zoning ordinance amendment regulating data centers, whichever occurs first.
The Township Board may extend the moratorium by resolution for a reasonable period if additional time is needed to complete the zoning amendment. The sources state that the moratorium was later extended by Resolution No. 2026-17, pending approval of the new ordinance, but do not provide a separate fixed expiration date for the extension.
People behind it
- Daniel DeFranco
Township Manager who presented the proposed temporary data-center moratorium to the Township Board for consideration.
- Saugatuck Township Planning Commission
Recommended that the Township Board adopt a six-month temporary moratorium and develop permanent data-center regulations.
- Saugatuck Township Attorney
Prepared the draft Temporary Moratorium Ordinance for Data Centers.
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- Saugatuck Township Board of Trustees
Governing body responsible for considering and adopting Ordinance No. 2026-01.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
The Township may not accept applications for building permits or zoning approvals for data centers during the moratorium. The restriction lasts six months from the ordinance’s effective date or until a zoning amendment regulating data centers takes effect, whichever occurs first; the Township Board may extend it by resolution for a reasonable additional period. The definition excludes internal server rooms, on-site business IT equipment or data storage, and telecommunications switching facilities. shall not accept applications for building permits or zoning approvals for data centers
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
The moratorium does not apply to internal server rooms, IT equipment, or data storage used exclusively to support a business’s own on-site operations, or to telecommunications switching facilities.
Sources
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