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Commissioners authorize MOU with Rocklocker for exploratory data-center study
Summary
Kalkaska County commissioners approved by consensus a memorandum of understanding with Rocklocker to pursue an exploratory data-center study after a presentation highlighted potential jobs and a multiyear development footprint and flagged environmental concerns.
Matt Rine, president of Reefworks, presented information on behalf of energy companies and Rocklocker about a possible data-center initiative in Kalkaska County, noting the developers reviewed state land availability and anticipated a large footprint and long development timeline.
"1500 acre needed; 5-8 years of development," Rine said, describing the scale the developers had discussed and noting potential employment education opportunities associated with the project. Commissioners expressed concerns about deforestation and impacts to natural resources and asked that zoning and other requirements be thoroughly evaluated before further commitments.
Commissioner David Comai moved to authorize Chair Kohn Fisher to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Rocklocker to pursue the initiative; the motion was supported by Commissioner Scott Matley and approved by consensus with no recorded opposition. The motion authorizes further engagement and study, not final approvals for siting or development.
The board requested additional factual work on zoning, environmental review and economic impacts before advancing to formal land-use decisions.
