Augusta Township's rural character is on the line — and the decision rests with Michigan voters in the August Primary.

Township trustees approved a rezoning of agricultural land to general industrial use for a proposed data center, over the objections of many residents. Those residents pushed back, gathering enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

Now the community gets to decide.

Augusta Township is a small rural community without the infrastructure to absorb a large industrial facility. As resident Eileen Cosner noted, "We don't have a lot of infrastructure. We've got a small township hall that has lasted all these years without huge amounts of money." A data center brings industrial traffic, heavy power consumption, and noise to land that has long defined the township as an agricultural community.

Rezoning farmland to general industrial is difficult to reverse. Once the land changes and construction begins, Augusta Township's rural identity goes with it. Trustees moved forward without sufficient community support — now voters have a chance to set the record straight.

Vote no on the data center rezoning measure in the August Primary.

Sign this petition to show the community stands together in protecting Augusta Township's farmland and rural future.