SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — No more new data centers in St. Joseph County?
That’s a new proposed resolution from Saint Joseph County Council Republicans. A proposal that would ban new hyperscale data centers from moving into the county.
This proposal has no impact on the two current data centers in St. Joseph County.
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But any more thinking of making the county their home, would have to think again.
Some people are concerned about what no new data centers could do for the county’s future.
What’s the biggest concern?
The proposal would halt all new data centers from applying to move into Saint Joseph County.
Once again, this would not impact Amazon in New Carlisle and Microsoft in Granger.
One of the main concerns with a possible ban is whether it’ll halt the economic progress the county has made.
“So, five ten years from now, I worry most about did we say no at a critical time that stopped the economic progress that we were having and put us behind,” questioned Jeff Rea, South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO and President.
According to the South Bend Chamber of Commerce, Amazon has employed nearly four thousand people. With more than 1,000 full-time employees, nearly half from St. Joseph County.
The construction filled more than 141,000 hotel rooms, providing a “significant boost” for the South Bend Region.
So, what could replace the economic impact data centers bring?
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“We always want to bring you more jobs into our community but I think we also need to think about are we putting all of our eggs into one economic basket. We don’t know the future of data centers, and so do we want to create, you know, a hundred data center buildings in St. Joe County and see the industry change. And so I think the way that we are situated now,” said Amy Drake, (R) St. Joseph County Councilwoman.
A two-year moratorium on data centers in St. Joseph County was proposed by council Republicans less than two weeks ago. They say Democrats on the council were not supportive of the moratorium.
So why the jump to permanently banning hyperscale data centers?
“I think a lot of people were really frustrated with their council members…they don’t know how they’re gonna vote. So, I think I think it makes people feel better to know the direction that we’re headed in,” said Drake.
Others say there could be a happy medium instead of a straight ban or moratorium on data centers, rather go by a case-by-case basis.
“Look at the merits, kind of understand all the pieces of it, and then decide whether it’s a good project or not. A ban sends a message to the to the rest of the world that we’re not open for business,” said Rea.
This is a resolution that will be read at the September County Council Meeting. Then it’ll be sent to the Area Plan Commission and then back to the Council for a final vote.
And you’ll have an opportunity to provide input before the vote.