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Bakeman hears from Hyperscale, but key questions remain as Paquette hosts Dowagiac data center town hall

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Dowagiac
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May 19, 2026

About 30 people, most of them Dowagiac residents, attended State Rep. Brad Paquette’s virtual town hall Thursday to discuss Hyperscale Data's proposed expansion plans. The town hall opened with a presentation from Anderson Economic Group COO and Director of Public Policy and Economic Analysis Sarah Thiele, who outlined what she described as the economic benefits data centers can bring to local communities. Her presentation was met with sharp criticism from attendees, who questioned the assumptions behind the report and raised concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, and what they described as misleading public statements from Hyperscale Data.

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Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission
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Three Rivers
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May 19, 2026

The Three Rivers City Commission will hold its annual budget hearing during its regular business meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m..  The hearing is the public’s only formal opportunity to comment on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget before commissioners vote on whether to adopt it. City charter requires the budget to be adopted on or before the second meeting in June, but city staff are recommending commissioners approve it immediately following the hearing and commission discussion.

American Axle workers seek ‘fair share’ after 98% strike authorization vote
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Three Rivers
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May 14, 2026

The union said American Axle has earned $8.4 billion in profits over the past decade while CEO compensation totaled $111 million during that period. Combined compensation for the company’s five highest-paid executives reached nearly $231 million, according to the union.

Hyperscale Data reports customer interest in expanding Dowagiac data center, residents still in the dark
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Dowagiac
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May 13, 2026

The latest announcement indicates that Hyperscale Data is continuing to pursue expansion in Dowagiac and has spent money to prepare for possible growth. But the company has not announced signed contracts, identified its potential customers, or publicly disclosed new permit applications. For residents concerned about electricity use, noise, land development and environmental impacts, the company’s announcement did not address those issues.

Kalamazoo approves Portage Street road redesign, advances rail relocation planning
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News
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May 13, 2026

The Kalamazoo City Commission approved a $1.04 million agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation Monday to move forward with a Portage Street redesign. The project will reduce the road from four lanes to three, and add bike lanes between Cork Street and Stockbridge Avenue. The project, approved on a 6-1 vote with Vice Mayor Drew Duncan dissenting, is funded with $750,000 in federal grant money and $289,402 from the city’s Major Streets Capital Budget. City officials say the redesign is intended to improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians along one of Kalamazoo’s busiest corridors.

Cass County prosecutor resigns as board tensions continue over pay dispute
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Dowagiac
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May 12, 2026

The resignation comes less than a week after a contentious May 7 Cass County Board of Commissioners meeting, where prosecutors warned commissioners that more attorneys could leave if the county did not provide additional support to retain staff.  Watershed Voice has previously reported on the growing dispute between the prosecutor’s office and county commissioners over attorney retention, compensation, and the county’s recently implemented classification and compensation study.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
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Sturgis
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May 12, 2026

Sturgis city commissioners will meet Wednesday for their first regular meeting since a contentious April 22 session in which Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins publicly asked Mayor Frank Perez to resign, two efforts to formally discipline Perez failed on tied votes, City Manager Andrew Kuk announced his resignation, and Commissioner Linda Harrington announced she was stepping down from the commission. 

Glen Oaks celebrates student excellence at annual award ceremony
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Three Rivers
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May 12, 2026

The awards recognize students nominated by faculty, student organizations, and college leaders for their commitment to learning, service to others, and contributions to the Glen Oaks campus community. Honorees represented a wide range of academic pathways, including nursing, allied health, agriculture, computer science and technology, welding, business, communications, art, chemistry, English, criminal justice, and more.

Construction begins on South Front Street streetscape project in Dowagiac
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Dowagiac
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May 7, 2026

The project received support through a $668,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 program, along with matching local funds from the city. City officials said Market One assisted with the grant application process. Assistant City Manager Amanda Sleigh said the funding strategy allowed the city to combine infrastructure improvements with downtown-style streetscape work.

May 5 Election results: Voters weigh in on school bonds, a trash ordinance, and commissioner terms
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Local
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May 6, 2026

Kalamazoo County voters considered several school funding proposals, along with the high-profile Portage single-hauler trash ordinance proposal, which generated significant public debate ahead of Election Day. The proposal would require waste haulers to register and publish fee schedules while prohibiting the city from creating an exclusive single-hauler trash contract. The measure failed with 44.73% of the vote in favor (5,381 votes) and 55.27% opposed (6,649 votes).

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