Learn more about data centers here! Below are answers to some of the common questions about data centers and Project Cherry Blossom.
Project Ironwood is a proposed data center development in Frenchtown Township, Michigan. At this time, Project Cherry Blossom is in the development phase.
Project Cherry Blossom is being developed by Cloverleaf Infrastructure. Cloverleaf is an industrial real estate developer specializing in data centers. Cloverleaf prepares land for large technology companies that build and operate data centers — the facilities that store and process information for things like the internet, cloud services, and everyday online tools. Once sites are determined viable for development and power is confirmed, Cloverleaf will look for the right data center company to build and operate the facility.
Cloverleaf seeks to develop new projects by communicating transparently with communities and local stakeholders. Cloverleaf does not sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with local governments and municipalities. As project plans are further confirmed, information will be shared via this project website, at voluntary community meetings, through formal submittals to the local jurisdictions, and at required public hearings. Additionally, Cloverleaf contact information is provided via this project website to answer specific questions or concerns related to the development.
Cloverleaf Infrastructure prepares land and power commitments for technology companies that build and operate data centers. While Cloverleaf leads the front end to prepare for development, ultimately, we will transfer the development to the right company to build and operate it. Before any company takes over, the local jurisdiction will have the chance to meet the company that plans to purchase the project and learn about how it will invest in and work with the community.
Data centers are highly secure buildings filled with computer servers that store, process, and move data around the world. They are where the internet lives. Instead of information being stored on your phone or computer alone, data centers safely store it and make sure it’s available whenever you need it.
These facilities power almost everything we do in today’s world – banking, healthcare, education, farming technology, government services and business operations all depend on them. As more homes, farms, and businesses rely on digital tools, the need for reliable data centers grows.
Data centers are built to last for decades, and the buildings themselves don’t become obsolete when technology evolves. The building, electrical systems, cooling infrastructure, and fiber connections are all designed for long-term use. As servers and computer software get smaller, faster, and more efficient, operators simply replace the equipment inside the existing structure rather than tear the facility down.
Because of this, data centers remain productive for decades.
Every data center operator designs their facilities differently, but most data centers buildings are 400,000 to 1,000,000 square feet. Hyperscale data centers are typically set up like a campus with several data center buildings with associated supporting structures such as offices and warehouse space for storing equipment.
Yes. All contractual obligations entered on behalf of Project Cherry Blossom will be transferred and assigned to the company that purchases the project, and that company will be legally required to adhere to those obligations.
Cloverleaf and its founders helped start and grow what is now the data center industry in the United States and around the world. The leadership team includes:
Of the 26-person team, 8 additional team members held senior level roles at various hyperscale data center companies.
In the past, one of the primary drivers of high-water use in data centers has been the requirements for cooling the large structure with a lot of heat-producing computer equipment. Project Cherry Blossom will deploy the newest data center cooling technology by utilizing a closed-loop cooling system, which requires a one-time fill and therefore uses exponentially less water than historical data centers did. Project Cherry Blossom’s day-to-day water use will be for domestic purposes only, which includes sinks, toilets, kitchens, sprinkler systems, etc. – using about as much water as a typical office building.
A closed-loop cooling system reuses the same cooling fluid repeatedly inside sealed pipes. It doesn’t mix with outside air, which means nothing from the outside – like dust or contaminants – can get in. This helps keep the system clean, reliable, and efficient.
The equipment works a lot like the heating and cooling system in a home, just much larger. It includes parts such as coils, compressors, and fans, which are all designed by licensed engineers here in Michigan.
Before any system like this is built, safety experts carefully study what could go wrong and make sure there are strong protections in place to keep workers, nearby residents, and the environment safe.
Chemicals used in industrial operations are contained through several layers of protection to prevent leaks and releases. These safety mechanisms are designed by registered professional engineers to meet federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Fires at data centers are very rare. Project Cherry Blossom will have advanced fire detection and suppression systems that can quickly isolate and extinguish any potential fires to prevent harm to people and equipment. These systems use sensors to identify heat or smoke early to ensure fast response and minimal damage. Trained staff and local fire departments will also respond if needed to ensure safety.
Project Cherry Blossom will not cause any significant air pollution to the area.
On-site air impacts from modern data centers are typically minimal. Facilities are designed to run with no continuous emissions during normal operation. Backup generators, which run infrequently for testing or emergencies, are subject to strict emissions standards.
Advanced cooling systems are also engineered to be efficient and environmentally responsible, with low-emission designs and careful management of refrigerants. Overall, modern data centers are built and operated to limit local air quality impacts and meet or exceed environmental regulations.
These generators are only turned on occasionally for short maintenance testing or for a few hours a year if there is a power outage. Project Cherry Blossom will rely on the electric grid for power, and the grid is very reliable, working more than 99% of the time.
No. Data centers are among the most secure commercial buildings in the nation. They are designed to protect the equipment inside, which means they include controlled access, 24/7 monitoring, reinforced construction, and multiple layers of physical security.
The bigger issue in the data world is cybersecurity, which is managed by the data center operator. Operators follow strict federal, state, and industry standards to protect the digital systems, and the host community is not connected to the data center’s internal networks, so that residents, local businesses, and Township systems are not exposed to additional cyber risk.
Cloverleaf has a vested interest in making sure Project Cherry Blossom is developed the right way. We have met with the local fire chief, and we will pay for additional fire equipment and emergency response training for all local responders.
Cloverleaf is working with DTE to study the site from a power perspective, but we do not yet know the amount of power DTE can provide. Cloverleaf commits to paying for any power and transmission upgrades to protect existing ratepayers from an increase to their electricity bill through DTE’s cost of service model.
The new state tax rule for data centers1 makes sure that regular customers — like residents and small businesses — don’t end up paying higher electric bills because of a new project. In other words, DTE can’t raise rates on anyone else to cover the data center’s costs.
Cloverleaf supports this approach. Cloverleaf projects are designed so that local residents and small businesses are not asked to shoulder higher electric costs due to new development. Project Ironwood commits to paying for the cost of new power infrastructure and upgrades needed for the data center.
DTE will perform a system impact study to determine what transmission upgrade requirements, if any, are needed to serve the site. Project Cherry Blossom will be required to pay for any transmission upgrades that are identified. In addition, new facilities for generation and capacity will be funded by Project Cherry Blossom, which will provide more energy to the electrical grid, making the grid more reliable and resilient for all DTE customers.
Cloverleaf and the end user are committed to being a responsible neighbor in the communities where we develop and we seek to ensure our projects cover any costs associated with incremental infrastructure needs. These costs are typically addressed through funding contracts or development agreements with the relevant governing jurisdictions and utility providers. In addition, tax impact analyses are conducted to evaluate the project’s expected yearly tax contributions relative to infrastructure needs. Our goal is to structure projects so that they provide a net fiscal benefit to the community, while ensuring that any infrastructure upgrades needed for the development are responsibly planned and funded.
Project Cherry Blossom represents a taxable investment of more than $1B, which will inject a significant amount of new revenue into the Frenchtown community. Monroe County provided the following estimated amounts that will be paid on an annual basis assuming the project moves forward:
In addition, Cloverleaf will enter into a Community Benefits Agreement with the Township. This agreement will provide an injection of investments into the community in the form of grants, one-time donations, or funds. Organizations that will benefit include school districts, municipal services, Township 501c3’s, as well as senior citizens and veterans.
During 2-3-year construction phase, Project Cherry Blossom will create approximately 1,500 construction jobs. Once the data center is operational, the project is expected to employ 100 full-time jobs or more. These full-time jobs are high-paying positions such as data center technicians, network engineers, and IT support staff that often do not require four-year university degrees. A local workforce is preferred and usually is frequently sourced through local training programs funded by the data center operator.
Cloverleaf will conduct a noise survey to understand the existing day and nighttime ambient conditions. There are no existing noise limitations for the development, but Cloverleaf is advocating to establish limits for the data center to protect nearby residents. We suggest implementing an enforceable noise limit of 60-70 decibels at the property lines. Noise limits will be memorialized in the Planned Unit Development with the Township. Berms, vegetation, trees, sound retaining walls, etc. will be incorporated to disperse sound minimizing impacts to nearby residences.
During construction, traffic levels will increase around the site. We Project Cherry Blossom will work with the Michigan Department of Transportation and County and Township officials and engineers to plan road use, routing, and any road improvements needed during or post construction.
As noted previously, the project will seek to enter into funding agreements as appropriate with local authorities to cover improvements or mitigate impacts caused by the project’s construction phase.
We will incorporate the Township’s strict lighting standards into the Planned Unit Development, which include full cut-off fixtures, minimal overlay lighting, directional lighting, warm color temperatures, and other features. These practices can reduce light impacts by 99%. Berms, trees, and other landscaping features will can further minimize further visual impacts to the community. Operating data centers do not cause ground vibrations.
State and local laws and regulations will govern penalties, indemnification, termination, and permit suspensions if environmental regulations or operational limits terms are not met.
