LaPorte Microsoft data center officially under construction

Microsoft has officially broken ground on a multi-billion dollar data center complex in LaPorte, Indiana. The project, initially on a 500-acre site on Boyd Boulevard, will eventually expand to include an additional 1,300 acres of adjacent farmland, with a total of 17 data center structures planned. The first three buildings are slated to be operational by 2029, with the entire construction process expected to span up to 10 years.

The extensive development is anticipated to employ more than 2,000 construction workers daily at its peak and will require over 600 full-time employees for its operation and maintenance. Local businesses, including hotels and restaurants, have been notified to prepare for the influx of workers associated with the long-term project.

The data center complex is seen as a transformative investment for LaPorte, with Microsoft opting not to seek nationwide tax abatement for its data center projects. This decision means the LaPorte project will generate tens of millions of dollars annually in new property tax revenue for the city and several million for the school corporation under a 20-year agreement. LaPorte Mayor Tom Dermody lauded the investment as unprecedented in the city's history.

Furthermore, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith announced a partnership with the LaPorte School Corporation to develop a curriculum at the high school, preparing students for the high-tech jobs available at the data center. The City of LaPorte will also receive an additional $17 million from Microsoft for over 100 acres of municipally owned land included in the 1,300-acre purchase.