Microsoft hosts open house event in La Porte on data center expansion

Data center discussions in La Porte. Microsoft and city leaders hosted an open house on Tuesday for the people to learn more about their potential expansion plans. "It all sounds good now. What happens in five years? I've got a lot of questions," said Robert Ulrich, La Porte resident. Microsoft representatives and La Porte city leaders hosted a joint open house. For a chance to present plans for a potential expansion in the hopes that the city will approve land annexation that allows Microsoft to expand its data center campuses. Phase one of their project is already underway as a data center is constructed off Boyd Boulevard, just south of East Lincolnway. But Microsoft told WSBT22 they’re not stopping there. "We bring a lot of jobs, we bring a lot of tax revenue, there are a lot of other benefits that come with it. We all use technology more and more every day, whether that's the TVs, cars, in your home, all across the planet. These data centers help power that technology everywhere we are," said Jonathan Noble, Microsoft senior director. The proposed expansion would be on nine parcels of land just south of Boyd Boulevard, with the main property running along Highway 35 South to County Road 250. According to city leaders, they've created an agreement that ensures a section of that tax revenue from the project goes towards schools. "Microsoft is our choice. They've been a great community partner from the start, and we're happy to have them investing in the future," said Bert Cook, La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership executive director. But not everyone at Tuesday's open house is on board with a potential expansion. "I'm young. I don't want to grow up around that. It can do a lot of things mentally, physically. I don't want to have to see that happen to people or my siblings," said Emma Ulrich, La Porte resident. "I don't want it to happen, but it doesn't sound like we're going to have a choice. They won't listen to the people," said Robert Ulrich. The final vote for this expansion is coming down to the La Porte City Council, which will decide whether or not to approve the land annexation in a final vote in May. According to city leaders, it’s likely to go through. WSBT22 asked which way the project is going. "I think this project will go forward from the city council. Absolutely. I think it will," said Cook. Cook told WSBT22 that the La Porte City Council will vote on May 18th on the land annexation, and if greenlit, Microsoft will then be able to move forward with the expansion. https://wsbt.com/news/local/microsoft-holds-joint-city-leaders-open-house-event-in-la-porte-expansion-plans-open-house-city-leaders-representatives-data-center-east-lincolnway-boyd-boulevard-partner-community-residents-concerns-passes-forward-la-porte-indiana _________________ Stay up to date by following our social media: WSBT 22 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSBTNews WSBT 22 on X: https://twitter.com/WSBT WSBT 22 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsbt/ For more information, visit https://wsbt.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to our newsroom: wsbtnews@wsbt.com WSBT is an IN based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.