Opinion | Switch has invested millions in Michigan, isn’t seeking more incentives
Bridge Michigan’s recent article, “Data centers create few jobs. Michigan wants to give them big tax breaks,” contains statements that need to be set straight about the data storage company Switch.
Switch has been making investments and creating jobs for many years in Michigan. While the Legislature is debating different economic attraction incentives for many different companies, Switch is not looking for incentives and we do not expect to benefit from the legislation.
The most unfair part of the article was its inclusion of Switch’s job creation numbers from the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was shut down.
By the end of 2022, Switch had created 78 full time positions and over 800 full time data center industry jobs. Today, there are over 1,000 people badged to work in and out of the Switch Pyramid Campus , not the 26 cited in the article from years ago. Ultimately, the facts show that Switch far exceeded the commitments it made to the state.
Further, the agreement with the state was altered, not because Switch wasn’t meeting its obligations, but to align with the language and definition of data center industry jobs that was already in statute. Switch worked closely with the Whitmer administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. on this.
Switch has a second building currently under construction with an investment of well over $700 million. A third building will start construction next year. These buildings will provide jobs for hundreds of contractors. To date, Switch and its partners have invested several billion dollars in Michigan.
In addition, millions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure and infrastructure improvements in the area. This includes substations and fiber which have been a great benefit to the entire community.
Bridge’s article was unfair about the significant commitment and investment Switch has made in Michigan.
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