Braun talks data centers, economy at Bloomington panel
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun defended his push to attract data centers during a business panel in Bloomington, citing property-tax reductions and well-paying jobs. Critics and a statewide poll have raised concerns about data centers' electricity and water use, while nearly one-third of Indiana counties have adopted local restrictions.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun defended data center development during the Indianapolis Business Journal's Innovate Indiana panel in Bloomington. Responding to a question from Inside INdiana Business President Gerry Dick, Braun said data centers could bring major property-tax benefits, construction work and 200 to 300 high-paying jobs to rural counties.
The discussion came as a Bellwether Research and Free Press Indiana poll found that a majority of both Republicans and Democrats oppose data center construction. Critics cite the facilities' heavy electricity and water demands, and nearly one-third of Indiana counties have adopted local restrictions on data centers.