By Andi Anderson
Developers are pursuing plans to build another large data center near New Carlisle, Indiana, a proposal that is drawing both interest and opposition. They have asked the St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission to rezone more than 1,000 acres of USDA-certified prime farmland along Chicago Trail from agricultural to industrial use.
The project is not linked to the massive Amazon data center currently under construction east of the town. However, it adds to growing concerns about the loss of farmland as technology companies look to rural areas for space and infrastructure.
New Carlisle Town Council President Marcy Kauffman has vowed to fight the plan, arguing it would undermine the small-town character of the community. She expressed concern that another large-scale facility would erase the remaining rural identity as Amazon’s complex continues to expand nearby.
The Area Plan staff has issued a neutral recommendation, noting that the request conflicts with both county and town comprehensive plans that prioritize preserving farmland.
Yet the staff report also recognizes the county’s need to attract economic development, especially as recent property tax cuts from the Indiana General Assembly reduce local government funding.
The proposal highlights a growing tension between preserving farmland and welcoming high-tech investment. Data centers require large tracts of land and reliable infrastructure, making rural areas appealing despite local opposition.
The St. Joseph County Council will consider the plan commission’s recommendation and vote on the rezoning request on September 23. The decision will shape how the region balances agricultural heritage with economic growth opportunities in the years ahead.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev
Categories: Indiana, Business