Jocelyn Benson's Husband Tries to Distance Himself From Controversial Data Centers

Ryan Friedrichs, aka Mr. Jocelyn Benson, announced yesterday on his LinkedIn page that he is shifting to a new role at Related Companies, where he will be working on policy and stakeholder engagement for the company focusing on projects outside of Michigan. Per his page:

Good news to share. For the last few years, I have loved working to build the University of Michigan’s new innovation campus in Detroit – including its over 300 community meetings – and to advance other projects for Related, from affordable housing to infrastructure, in Michigan. I am pleased to announce that I am shifting into a new role at Related, where I will work on policy and stakeholder engagement for our portfolio across the country in areas I am deeply passionate about – from economic development and affordable housing, to community revitalization and infrastructure. This marks a return to my roots building out stakeholder engagement teams at the national level. It also marks a shift, as I will no longer be working on Related projects in Michigan.

Wow, what timing!

Last Thursday, Christy Gillenwater went in front of the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee and brought forth new information that Friedrichs, vice president of Related Companies, could make up to $70 million in commission for the Saline Data Center Project that his company has begun building.

The project takes up almost 600 acres of farm land and is located just down the road from where Ryan was raised in Ann Arbor.

He also terminated his lobbying license just as his wife was ramping up to run for governor in 2026.

Data centers require an exorbitant amount of water. Yet Related Companies chose to put this eyesore in the middle of our state, nowhere near a significant water source.

Also the fact that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is approving data centers while claiming to protect our precious natural resources is quite laughable, considering the lost land and amount of water that comes from our Great Lakes that will be used.

So much for climate change. Oh, and don’t forget about the rate hike that goes into effect from DTE at a nice 4.6% increase out of our pockets.

Just last week, Benson spoke to Central Michigan University’s radio station and did her normal bullet dodging where she hit her normal talking points about health care affordability and jobs, including farming.

On data centers, Benson said the government should “work to ensure they are not allowed to use our water or drive-up energy costs, and they're instead required to enter into agreements with communities that will drive down energy costs and invest in renewable energy.”

Seriously, this woman has the gall to bring up farming, energy cost, and agreements with communities after the entire town of Saline was forced to accept a data center that they did not want.

Related even sued the township in order to get zoning approved once word got out and town officials denied Friedrichs’ company’s request to rezone the land for industrial use.

Now that the secretary of state’s husband got his commission, he’s running away to save face for his wife.