The developer behind a proposed data center in Kalkaska has pulled the plug on the project following strong public backlash, cancelling a community forum scheduled Thursday night in Coldsprings Township.

Matt Rine of Rocklocker had planned three community forums this week to get feedback on the proposed multi-billion-dollar data center, which he hoped to locate on 1,440 acres of state land near Island Lake and South River roads. An overflow crowd packed the first event Monday, grilling Rine about the project and expressing strong opposition to its construction in Kalkaska. Multiple legislators also weighed in publicly this week opposing the project and and emphasizing it would not happen on DNR land. Rine previously told The Ticker public and legislative support would be key to getting the DNR on board and moving forward with the data center.

"We sought public input because we want to be partners with the community we live and work in," Rine said in a statement Thursday morning. "And we heard you. That is why my company and Kalkaska Go will end its pursuit of a data center. We are grateful we had the opportunity to engage in public discourse - it is important to work together as a community when making decisions about the future, even when there is disagreement."

Later in the day Thursday, Rocklock put out a second statement elaborating on its position. That statement read in part: 

"Throughout this dialogue, we also heard a wide range of perspectives. Many concerns were voiced openly, and we welcomed that input. But we also saw a groundswell of support who were willing to consider the potential benefits of such a project. Regardless, we recognize and respect that concerns about developing on public lands were significant and, ultimately, decisive. Some feedback was delivered anonymously and in ways that were personally distressing to Rocklocker personnel and their families, which was disappointing. It’s sad that such an important discussion and community feedback be halted for such reasons.

Rocklocker is a clean-energy company dedicated to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and advancing responsible environmental stewardship. While we will not be moving forward with any data center proposal on public lands, we remain committed to our core business of developing and operating carbon-sequestration projects and providing low-carbon solutions for Michigan’s industrial CO2 emitters. Data center development will continue across the country, and our goal is to support energy producers with carbon-storage solutions as they grow to meet America’s increasing demand for power."

A forum planned Thursday night at the Coldsprings Township Branch Library in Mancelona has been cancelled.

This story has been updated to include the second statement released by Rocklocker.