Meta is reportedly the developer behind a $1 billion data center development near Howell in Michigan.

As reported by MLive, a Howell Township official has "leaked" that Meta is behind the data center proposal set for some 1,000 acres in the area.

Previously, it had been said that a "Fortune 100 technology company" was behind the project, which has faced significant opposition. However, Trustee Bob Wilson told MLive that he had spoken to Meta personally, adding: "I’m the one who leaked the fact that it’s Meta, because I don’t believe it should be hidden from people.”

The data center campus is planned for numerous parcels east of Handy Township along Marr Road, Fleming Road, Warner Road, and Owosso Road. The parcels that make up the site are currently zoned as AR – Agricultural Residential, SFR – Single Family Residential, and NSC – Neighborhood Service Commercial, and would be rezoned to RT – Research and Technology.

Full details on the planned data centers weren’t shared, but local reports have previously suggested up to ten single-story buildings are being proposed, and Meta will reportedly invest around $1bn in the development.

While Wilson has revealed that Meta is behind the project, there has been no official announcement.

Majority land owner Ryan Van Gilder told MLive: "We agreed to let the buyer release who they were on their timeline. There are many reasons why all these tech companies hide who they are, but primarily because they are publicly traded."

Van Gilder speculated that it may be revealed if the land rezoning is approved, and said that he is not aware that the company has revealed its identity to anyone other than the land owners.

The project has received significant pushback. In September, the planning commission voted to recommend denying the project, and a Change.org petition - Stop the Construction of Michigan's Largest Data Center in Howell – has garnered more than 3,480 signatures to date. The 2020 census put the township’s population at just under 7,900.

“This data center would drastically change Howell as we know it, using massive amounts of energy, polluting our beautiful rural environment, and increasing energy costs for residents,” the petition states.

A Facebook group, Stop the Data Centers – Livingston County, has also been set up with now 2,800 members.

A final decision has yet to be made, however.

Howell Township, in Livingston County, is some 60 miles (96.5km) northwest of downtown Detroit.