A proposed data center is changing the conversation in this Indiana farming town
Andy and Tammy Orem, fifth-generation farmers in Shelby County, Indiana, are actively opposing a proposed data center near their family's farmland. They and other community members are raising concerns about the project's impact on farmland, water use, and the electrical grid. The situation highlights broader questions about rural land use and community voice in development decisions.
Andy and Tammy Orem, who operate Orem Family Farm, a fifth-generation regenerative farm in Shelby County, Indiana, are speaking out against a proposed data center. Their family's farmland is adjacent to the planned project site, located about 10 miles from their main farm. The Orems and other community members have attended public meetings to voice their concerns about the potential impact on agricultural land, local water resources, and the electrical grid.
The family is partnering with Investigate Midwest and UpRoot Center for a virtual "Rooted Coffee Chat" on October 7 to discuss their involvement in the data center debate. They aim to educate people outside Shelby County about the issues confronting their community. The Orems emphasize the importance of being good stewards of the land, while the broader discussion revolves around who decides rural land use and how residents can ensure their concerns are addressed when new industries move into farming areas.