(La Porte County, IN) - A data center committee in La Porte County met for the first time yesterday.

 

The 12 member committee was formed to try and steer any data centers to Kingsbury Industrial Park or some other industrial zoned area and make sure the county is compensated fairly since data centers are not major job creators.

 

Many data centers are also large users of water and electricity.

 

So far, no data centers have submitted any formal proposals to county government.

 

La Porte County Commissioner Connie Gramarossa said forming the committee was about being ready to respond and negotiate just in case a data center officially makes a request to come here.

 

“What we’re looking to do is get a balanced approach,” she said.

 

She said a desirable offer from a data center would also have to include things like money to offset any burden on taxpayers and use of union labor in the construction.

 

Recently, Michigan City officials expressed a lack of interest in a data center wanting to go on the city’s east side because of the company during early discussions falling short in the incentives.

 

She said the committee will serve in an advisory capacity with the final decision on any requests from a data center to be made by the county commissioners.