Project Cannoli, Van Buren Michigan
A Long-Term Data Center Investment for Van Buren Township
Overview
Project Cannoli is a proposed data center campus being developed by Panattoni in Van Buren Township under existing zoning. The project is designed to support the growing demand for secure, reliable digital infrastructure while delivering long-term fiscal benefits to the community with minimal operational impact.
Data centers play a critical role in everyday life, supporting hospitals, schools, emergency services, utilities, and the digital tools residents and businesses rely on daily. Project Cannoli is planned as a modern, low-impact facility that aligns with Township standards, prioritizes environmental stewardship, and contributes meaningfully to the local tax base.
This page provides an overview of the project and its anticipated benefits. Additional details and answers to common questions are available in the project FAQ.
What Is Being Proposed
Project Cannoli is a data center campus developed for a Fortune 50 company with global data center operations. The facility is intended for uses such as cloud computing and advanced data processing. It is not a cryptocurrency mining operation, industrial manufacturing facility, or nuclear facility.
The project is designed as a long-term investment with limited day-to-day activity, low traffic volumes once operational, and minimal visibility from surrounding roadways and neighborhoods. Nearly half of the site will remain preserved as open space, including wetlands, buffers, and wildlife corridors.
Why Data Centers Matter
Digital demand continues to grow rapidly as everyday activities shift online, from telehealth and remote learning to connected vehicles and smart infrastructure. Data centers serve as the backbone of this digital ecosystem by securely storing, processing, and transmitting data around the clock.
When thoughtfully planned, data centers are among the most efficient land uses available. They generate significant tax revenue while placing comparatively low demand on local services and infrastructure. Industry research and real-world examples show that data centers can provide long-term economic stability while remaining compatible with surrounding land uses.
Community and Fiscal Impact
Once completed, Project Cannoli is projected to be the number one taxpayer in Van Buren Township and among the top five taxpayers in Wayne County.
Data centers are capital-intensive facilities that generate substantial taxable value while requiring limited ongoing municipal services. The project is also expected to generate approximately 1,500 construction jobs during the build phase, supporting local and regional contractors, trades, and suppliers.
Unlike many industrial uses, data centers operate with low permanent staffing levels and create very little traffic once operational. This allows the community to benefit from long-term private investment with minimal day-to-day impact.
Environmental and Site Design Commitments
Project Cannoli has been designed to meet or exceed local standards for noise, lighting, utilities, and environmental protection.
Key commitments include:
- No use of groundwater, with water supplied by Great Lakes Water Authority
- No discharge into Belleville Lake or into the ground
- Operational sound levels designed to remain below existing Noise and Environmental Performance Standards
- Backup generators meeting Tier 4 emissions standards
- Purpose-built berms, mature trees, and extensive landscaping to reduce visual impacts
- Significant open space preserved to support wildlife movement
Site access has been designed to minimize traffic impacts on surrounding residential areas.
Power, Reliability, and Rates
Power for the project will be delivered through transmission-level infrastructure planned specifically for large-load users. The project is designed so that it does not reduce reliability for nearby residents or businesses.
Under state law, any power infrastructure improvements required to serve the project must be funded by the project itself, not by residential or small business ratepayers. Large-scale users such as data centers can also help support grid stability by spreading fixed system costs across a broader customer base.
A Community-Focused Investment
Panattoni is a family-owned developer with nearly four decades of experience and a track record of delivering high-quality projects that align with local priorities. The company approaches each development as a partnership, with an emphasis on accountability, transparency, and responsible site planning.
Project Cannoli reflects that commitment through its design, environmental considerations, and focus on lasting community value.
Share a Comment or Question
We welcome input from residents. Please use the form below to share your thoughts with the project team.