LaPorte Common Council votes in favor of second Microsoft data center campus
The LaPorte Common Council has approved Microsoft's plan to expand its data center footprint by approving annexation of additional farmland and rezoning it to light industrial. This decision paves the way for a second data center campus in La Porte, with Microsoft planning 11 more buildings on top of six under construction. While city leaders highlight economic benefits, some residents have expressed concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, and water use.
The LaPorte Common Council voted to approve Microsoft's plan for a second data center campus in the city, which involves annexing approximately 1,000 acres of farmland and rezoning it to light industrial use. Construction is already underway on Microsoft's first data center campus off Boyd Boulevard.
Mayor Tom Dermody of La Porte highlighted the economic benefits, including a $1 million payment from Microsoft to the La Porte School system, and emphasized the potential for jobs and economic growth. However, residents expressed mixed reactions during public comment, with some calling for more transparency and questioning the project's location. Concerns were also raised about potential impacts on water use, the environment, and noise, which Microsoft has pledged to minimize through collaboration with the city and residents.
Microsoft aims to build 11 additional data center buildings, adding to the six already under construction. The company is also pursuing a separate data center project in Granger and is hosting an open house in South Bend for that project.