Another data center possibly coming to New Carlisle
SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- Another data center could be heading to Saint Joseph County. Developers are eyeing over a thousand acres just north of downtown New Carlisle for a potential data center campus. The proposed site is located south of Chicago Trail in between Spruce and Timothy roads.
It would join the Amazon Data Center in the west end of the county.
Not many details about the project are available right now because it's in its very early stages, but it's still making residents weary
"Yeah, it's been really great living out here, we get the fresh air," says Gloria Feirick, who lives right across the street from the proposed site for the new data center.
On nice, warm days, Gloria and her neighbor Don of the Hamilton Retirement Community like to sit outside, enjoy the fresh air, and watch what's happening across the street.
Right now, what they see on the other side of Chicago Trail is a big farm, but that could change.
"If it happens, it happens. You Know, everything's growing up," Feirick says.
The developer of the data center is unclear. In documents they're identified as 'New Carlisle 25 Developer LLC'.
The rezoning petition needed to move forward with the project, Bill 42-25, would change the land from agricultural to industrial.
Neighbors like Gloria believe it's a sign of farmers aging out and selling their land.
"And a lot of their children don't want to be farmers," Feirick adds.
The general consensus of the New Carlisle community is that they are not in favor of another data center in their backyard.
One resident of 35 years sent ABC57 their letter of remonstrance they plan to send to the county, asking them to reject the petition because their neighborhood is still dealing with problems caused by the Amazon Data Center and GM battery plant, like industrial traffic and failing water wells.
On the other hand, Feirick is one that isn't totally opposed to the project despite her proximity to it.
She says it's just a part of the steady growth the town has seen over the last few years with other projects
"You know we just wait and watch," Feirick says. "Who knows, ten years from now maybe they'll start building, who knows."
Bill Schalliol, the county's Director of Economic Development declined an interview Monday about the possible data center because there wasn't much more information he could provide at this time.
He expects a lot more information about this project will be available next month when it lands on the desk of the Area Plan Commission.
The County Council will have a first reading on Bill 42-25 in their meeting Tuesday night.