Voters are looking for answers on data centers from Indiana's secretary of state candidates
Data centers have become an issue in Indiana's secretary of state race, even though the office has limited authority over data center development. Candidates have discussed local control, tax incentives, electricity costs, environmental impacts and water planning amid opposition to projects, including Google's abandoned proposal in Franklin Township.
Data center development has emerged as a campaign issue in Indiana's secretary of state election. Democratic candidate Beau Bayh criticized Republican candidate Max Engling in an advertisement over data centers and tax policy, while Engling argued the issue falls largely outside the secretary of state's responsibilities. Libertarian candidate Lauri Shillings said she would support data centers that can fund their own energy needs and avoid environmental depletion.
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said data centers are necessary but that local communities should decide where they are built, weighing jobs, incentives, utilities and residents' interests. The article also notes that opposition has spread across Indiana, with more than half of the state's counties restricting or banning data center development and Google abandoning plans for a facility in Franklin Township after public pushback.