Merrillville officials place one-year moratorium on data centers

The Merrillville Town Council unanimously voted to enact a one-year moratorium on approving new data center projects in the town, effective from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2027. This decision, made at a Tuesday night meeting, followed public informational sessions and was heavily influenced by resident concerns. Councilman Shawn Pettit, initially a proponent of data centers, shifted his stance after speaking with constituents and local businesses like Polycon Industries and Modern Forge, emphasizing the council's duty to listen to residents.

Council President Rick Bella highlighted that the moratorium provides the town an opportunity to observe the impacts of a major data center campus under construction in neighboring Hobart, allowing for a more informed decision-making process. Councilwoman Shauna Haynes-Edwards stressed the importance of considering environmental impacts, including energy and water consumption, noise, and strain on local infrastructure. She advocated for focusing on community development and attracting small businesses over further industrial expansion, asserting that Merrillville has borne enough industrial growth.

Residents Jennifer Gross and Pablo Payan expressed gratitude for the council's decision, while Bryon Mesarch voiced disappointment. Merrillville's action aligns with a broader trend in Indiana, where the Citizens Action Coalition and 26 other public interest organizations have urged local governments to implement data center moratoriums. Thirteen Indiana counties, including Fulton, Marshall, and Starke, have already done so. The town plans further Citizen Advisory Committee meetings, with the Northwest Indiana Forum presenting at an upcoming session.