Petition Against Granger Data Center Amasses 1,800 Signatures
Residents in Granger, Indiana, are opposing a planned 1,000-acre Microsoft data center project, gathering over 1,800 signatures on a petition. Despite this opposition and concerns about noise, light, traffic, and electricity rates, county officials state the project has cleared zoning and continues to advance through the normal approval process, with construction set for late 2026 or early 2027.
Residents in Granger, Indiana, are actively opposing a proposed 1,000-acre Microsoft data center. A petition launched by local resident Todd Robertson has garnered over 1,800 signatures, expressing concerns about noise, light pollution, increased traffic, and potential impacts on electricity rates, despite Microsoft's assertion of a "closed-loop" water cooling system for the facility.
St. Joseph County officials, including development official Bill Schalliol, confirmed that the Microsoft project has already secured necessary zoning approvals and met local design standards, indicating it is on track within the standard permitting pipeline without anticipated delays. Microsoft recently hosted an open house for the $1 billion project, located near SR 80, Cleveland Road, Douglas Road, and Bittersweet Road, with construction expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
While acknowledging the high likelihood of the current project proceeding, opposition organizers aim for sustained resistance to potentially deter Microsoft from future expansions or land acquisitions in the area. County authorities are directing residents with questions to the county development office.