Residents say St. Joseph County leaders ignored public input on Microsoft data center deal

St. Joseph County officials, including the Redevelopment Commission, approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft regarding a new data center project. This agreement allows for preliminary site examination and covers early planning work related to water, sewer, and road infrastructure. Residents living near the proposed site expressed strong opposition, stating that county leaders made the decision without listening to public opinions and that the process lacked transparency. They emphasized the importance of public input at all levels, asserting that the government is "supposed to have" open sessions. While Indiana's Open Door Law requires open meetings, it does not mandate a public comment period. However, residents noted that other local bodies, such as the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners and the City of South Bend, typically allow public comment before decisions are made, not just at the end of meetings.