LEAP and Lighthouse Sustainability launch new economic development approach for a large data center project in the local community
LEAP and Lighthouse Sustainability launch new economic development approach for a large data center project in the local community
LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 27, 2026) — As communities question the costs and consequences of data center development, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Lighthouse Sustainability are launching a framework intended to change how those larger projects, like data centers, take shape: Begin with the community, establish expectations and propose projects that can meet rigorous environmental standards and provide meaningful community investment.
The effort invites Delhi Township residents to help define the safeguards and economic benefits a potential data center on a 423-acre site would need to deliver. Through small-group conversations, individual interviews, weekly webinars and a resident advisory committee, community members will help inform the proposal before a formal development application is filed with the local government.
The site, known as the Holt Economic Opportunity Park, located on College Road in Delhi Township and Holt Public School District, was identified for future economic development by the Township in 2003 and subsequently master planned as its sole Economic Opportunity Property in 2023, a process involving substantial community input. This Economic Opportunity Property is intended to attract significant business investment and resulting tax revenue, while protecting natural resources and limiting any negative impacts on neighboring properties. Delhi Township enacted a moratorium on data center review in April 2026.
To be clear, no application has been filed, and no end user has been identified. LEAP and Lighthouse will respect that moratorium and focus on a community engagement strategy for possible future development on the site. The engagement process gives residents time to examine studies, question the project team, and provide input for a proposal before the Township is asked to consider future development on the site. This engagement process gives residents time to examine studies, question the project team, and provide input for a proposal before the Township is asked to consider it.
“Delhi Township had a vision for the property before we sought a development partner,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “We chose Lighthouse because they bring deep renewable energy expertise and a commitment to making development work for the people who live here. That combination matters. Smart growth means attracting investment that strengthens our economy while protecting the natural resources and way of life that make this community home.”
“We have to approach economic development in our communities differently for larger projects. We have to adapt as a profession, and develop new ways to directly and first interact with people, to develop a healthy space for conversation, to be better at creating mutually beneficial and acceptable large projects together. We need to this new way, because our region needs to be able to compete and approve significant projects, new investment, especially in the tech space, or our community faces an aging population, declining youth, and reduced tax base for municipal budgets that provide the quality of life we all desire and need for a prosperous future.
“The people of Holt deserve to know about this innovative approach to a data center development and its many community benefits, so they can decide whether it warrants further official process. Thus, there are no NDAs, pre-meetings with officials about this process, we engage the community first in a new way.”
LEAP holds an option to purchase the property and secured a $6.5 million state grant for site readiness work. It then issued a request for proposals to solicit development partners. A review committee that included LEAP staff and outside experts selected Lighthouse Sustainability’s proposal.
Lighthouse Sustainability is a mission-driven company applying experience in renewable energy, grid planning and infrastructure finance to data center development, led by renewable energy pioneer Gary Dorris. Dorris founded Ascend Analytics, which manages more than one-fifth of the nation’s large, grid-connected battery storage, helping batteries and led the development of Hawaiian Electric’s first 100% renewable electric resource plan in 2016. Lighthouse brings that experience to designing infrastructure that can provide reliable, cleaner power while creating lasting value for host communities.
“Throughout my career, I have worked to find new ways to deliver cleaner, more affordable power,” said Gary Dorris, co-founder and CEO of Lighthouse Sustainability. “We founded Lighthouse to bring that same thinking to data centers. We are not here to make a pronouncement, but to invite Holt residents to help shape a shared vision guided by community priorities, grounded in evidence, and designed to create lasting value.”
LEAP and Lighthouse aim to establish a model for data center development and economic development for larger projects in which residents help shape the standards used to evaluate a proposal. Lighthouse’s proposed approach combines renewable energy supply and battery storage with cooling that recirculates water. Site planning will focus on protecting water resources, wetlands and green space and positioning buildings and equipment to prevent noise pollution. Technical studies and community input will help establish measurable performance standards. with a considerable green space easement granted to the community, Additionally, in partnership with Resilience Energy, the data center will fully fund a no-cost residential solar and battery storage program that is estimated to reduce participating homeowners’ energy cost by an estimated 50%.
The pre-development agreement requires a community benefits agreement. Public engagement will help identify the protections and benefits residents want addressed through that agreement and the project’s approval process.
Separately, Lighthouse will establish a $20 million community investment fund beyond negotiated community benefits and estimated tax revenue, to invest in priorities residents identify.
Due diligence (environmental, wetland, endangered species review, and more) with activities underway, are available for public review on the HEOP site. The Lighthouse website also provides a community engagement calendar, sign up for small-group discussions and individual interviews.
Residents are invited to a live informational webinar at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Weekly webinars will follow, primarily featuring presentations about the proposal and questions residents raise.
Questions can be submitted through the Lighthouse website. Lighthouse will address questions during the webinars and use residents’ submissions to select future presentation topics. Questions and answers will remain available for public review.
Residents can visit lighthouses.eco/holt to register for webinars, review studies, submit questions, view the engagement calendar, and sign up for listening sessions, interviews, and weekly email updates.
About Lighthouse Sustainability
Lighthouse Sustainability develops data center campuses with a focus on environmental stewardship, energy affordability and community benefit. Its founders bring experience in energy analytics, renewable energy development and infrastructure finance to planning projects with the communities where they may be built.
About LEAP
Lansing Economic Area Partnership is the economic development organization serving Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties. LEAP works to build a stronger community by helping businesses grow, retaining existing businesses and attracting new investment to the Lansing region.
Media Contacts:
LEAP
Brent Snavely
bsnavely@franco.com
Lighthouse Sustainability
Victoria Meadows
vmeadows@lighthouses.eco
