Commissioners' Message on Data Centers (March 14, 2025)

The Porter County Planning Department (PCPD) had considered having a data center developer who has recently contacted the PCPD make a personal introduction of their company while also providing an overview of their intentions at the regularly schedule Plan Commission meeting on March 26, 2025.  In consideration of other non-related cases being heard by the Plan Commission on this date, it has been decided to reschedule the data center introduction meeting to a later date so that the different agenda items can be given the full attention they deserve.

As we have observed during the recent data center discussions in other communities throughout our county, the commissioner’s office, in cooperation with the PCPD, believes that any public presentation related to any prospective data center merits its own public meeting rather than being combined with other non-related cases involving other county business. 

As many residents know, data centers have recently taken center stage in the newspapers, social media, and various public meetings. This has not gone unnoticed by county officials. As such, Porter County government aims to provide the proper forum where everyone can appropriately discuss and consider presentations and public comments while representing all sides of this important subject.    

The rescheduling of this meeting allows the County to engage in thoughtful planning, notify interested parties, and make proper meeting space accommodations so that all sides of the topic can be heard and meaningful discussion can be achieved. Furthermore, as elected and appointed officials, this additional time allows us to formulate meaningful questions and conduct necessary research on this topic.

More information about scheduling a public meeting on this subject will be forthcoming soon.

Respectfully,

Jim Biggs. President – Porter County Board of Commissioners.