Local 150 claims Blue Chip Casino took anti-data center signs

Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers has accused Blue Chip Casino of confiscating an anti-Project Maize banner near its Michigan City, Indiana, location. The union's financial secretary, David Fagan, stated the banner was part of a protest against the casino for allegedly allowing out-of-state contractors and workers to use its parking lot as a staging area for Project Maize, which the union believes undermines local jobs and working conditions in Northwest Indiana. The banner was reportedly confiscated by a casino employee, then an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) employee, and a third time by an Indiana State Police officer, despite the union's claims of a lawful protest. Both Indiana State Police and INDOT issued statements regarding state statutes on signage on public property. Michigan City Police also responded to a trespassing complaint at the casino, informing union members not to protest on casino property, though the banner was not obstructing sidewalks. Project Maize is an $800 million data center project at 402 Royal Road, which the Michigan City Common Council approved in September 2025 through resolutions providing tax abatements and designating an economic revitalization area. While the end user is not formally announced, documents list Lavender Fields Holdings LLC as the operator and Google as an affiliate, leading to suspicions that Google is behind the project. Phoenix Investors is the developer. Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana and a Michigan City resident, has voiced opposition to the data center citing environmental and public health concerns. She supported Local 150's claims, stating the incident reflects the project's 'iron grip' on Michigan City and its developer's alleged bent on suppressing dissenting voices. Local 150 has been concerned with the project since August 2025 when Phoenix Investors reportedly made no commitment to hire union workers. Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch has previously dismissed the union's claims as 'political theater' and a smear campaign against the data center, emphasizing the city's pro-Michigan City and pro-Northwest Indiana stance rather than being anti-union.