Local groups advocate against third data center in St. Joseph County

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Several local grass roots organizations, including the “Citizens for Responsible Economic Development” spoke out against a proposed third data center in St. Joseph County.

The proposal would be a $13 billion investment near the New Carlisle community, which already hosts an Amazon Web Services data center.

The main concerns of opposing groups are the removal of prime farm land, impacts on local water systems and potential utility rate hikes for county residents.

I&M, alongside county and city of South Bend leaders, have supported the data center measures in recent weeks, promising that rate hikes won’t be a part of the development.

The county council will vote on a bill to rezone more than 1,000 acres of land in New Carlisle Tuesday night to potentially make way for the data center.