Microsoft data center plans to fund Laporte Community School Corporation during construction

LAPORTE, Ind. -- Microsoft, the developer behind a planned data center in LaPorte that has been in progress since 2024, is seeking to expand the project, prompting both support and concern from residents.

City officials have emphasized the potential economic benefits of the development. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, LaPorte County’s median household income is about $5,000 below the state average, and local leaders say new investment is needed to remain competitive.

“We need development, we need LaPorte to compete,” Mayor Tom Dermody said. As part of its agreement with the LaPorte Community School Corporation, Microsoft has committed to directing 15% of the data center’s property tax revenue to the district for 20 years. 

Officials also pointed to workforce challenges. In Laporte County, only 22% of residents have completed higher education. Microsoft representatives said the project could help address those gaps through training and partnerships.

“We work with schools around workforce training, around technology, around internships,” said Jonathan Noble, a senior director at Microsoft. “Our goal is really to bring the community in and also become part of the community.”

Microsoft plans to collaborate with Ivy Tech Community College to establish a data center academy program focused on technical and trade skills, in addition to providing 300-400 jobs during the construction of the data center.

Despite the proposed benefits, some residents voiced concerns about how construction and increased activity could affect daily life. Dee Vincent, a LaPorte resident of 30 years, said planned use of Boyd Boulevard as a primary construction route could directly impact nearby neighborhoods.

Still, Vincent acknowledged the broader economic pressures facing the community. “Times are tight, from the federal government on down,” Vincent said. “We do need some kind of resources coming in from other areas.”

The project remains in development. The agreement with the school district was finalized in March, and company officials said they will incorporate public feedback before moving into the construction phase.