Michigan City Council's New Data Center Pause Excludes Google, Sparks Backlash
Michigan City officials are advancing a proposed data center moratorium that would pause new developments through July 31, 2028, or until data center zoning rules are adopted. The ordinance would exempt Google's $832 million Project Maize, prompting backlash from council members and residents concerned about the drafting process, emissions, water use and energy consumption.
Michigan City is preparing a new data center moratorium that would suspend approvals for future developments until zoning regulations are adopted or July 31, 2028, whichever comes first. The proposal would exempt both phases of Google's Project Maize, an $832 million facility under construction at the former Federal Mogul site on Royal Road. The ordinance was not filed in time for the latest council meeting and is scheduled for a formal first reading at the next meeting.
Council member Bryant Dabney said the pause would give the city time to evaluate the Google project, including its noise, water and energy impacts. Council member Joseph Nelson and other original sponsors criticized the rewrite, saying they were not consulted, while residents and environmental advocates raised concerns about diesel generators, fuel storage and limited public input on proposed zoning rules. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management previously approved an air permit for 66 emergency diesel generators at the facility.