LaPorte officials prepare data‑center rules, say no county data center yet
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Summary
Officials told residents that no data center has been formally proposed in unincorporated LaPorte County and said the county will draft a data‑center ordinance at the planning commission with a public hearing expected in early March; officials also discussed tax treatment and annexation limits.
County officials told residents at a town hall that no data center has formally located in unincorporated LaPorte County and outlined steps to manage potential large projects, including drafting a data‑center ordinance and clarifying tax treatment and annexation implications.
No data center in unincorporated county — yet "No data center has come to the county yet. None," a county commissioner said at the meeting while describing current development interest and the county’s plan to prepare rules. Officials said drafting of a specific data‑center ordinance will begin at the planning commission the following Tuesday with the first public hearing likely in early March.
Tax treatment and city agreements Speakers discussed a large regional project tied to Microsoft and stressed the county did not control city‑level agreements or abatements. Officials said the land and real property for such investments are assessed and taxed, noting the land itself is not abated; meeting remarks put a recent assessment figure referenced in discussion at about a $4,000,000,000 investment on real property (as discussed by attendees).
Annexation and PILOTs A county commissioner advised residents the county cannot stop annexation under state law (cited in the meeting as section 36‑4‑3‑5) and explained that payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (PILOT) agreements are an alternative negotiation tool to long abatements — e.g., receiving a large upfront payment that can be allocated to capital needs such as fire trucks and squad cars.
Site‑specific constraints: roads and easements Officials also flagged Kingsbury as a location where private road ownership limits county ability to improve access: the county cannot spend public dollars to repair private roads unless it secures ownership or easements, and speakers suggested creating public easements so the county can pursue matching state and federal grants.
What residents were told to expect Officials said the ordinance, permitting clarifications and public hearings aim to provide clear rules to investors and residents so elected leaders can make informed decisions about incentives. A redevelopment staff member also encouraged residents and businesses to contact county economic development staff to discuss potential projects and requirements.
The next procedural step Officials said the planning commission will begin ordinance drafting next week and the county will hold public hearings; residents were encouraged to request documents and attend the upcoming League of Women Voters forum for further explanation.
