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Residents urge moratorium on data-center expansion; council members signal support for a one-year pause
Summary
Public commenters pushed the council to pause future data-center development (including a Project Maze phase two) and raised concerns about contract transparency and power sourcing; several council members said they would support a one-year moratorium while seeking more information.
Multiple residents urged the Michigan City Common Council on June 16 to impose a pause on new data-center development until the city can review agreements and community impacts.
Steven Coyle, a property owner with rentals in Michigan City, asked the council for "full transparency on terms of the agreement" and requested a moratorium on future data-center development, specifically mentioning phase two of "Project Maze." Coyle said growth must have "the consent and confidence of the people who live here."
Ashley Williams told the council she is worried Project Maze (described in public comments as a Google data-center project) has entered into long-term contracts that rely on coal-fired generation. She said she believes the company signed a 12-year power contract with a southern Indiana plant and called the deal "secret" because critical terms were redacted. Williams asked council members to support a one-year moratorium and cited other local governments that have enacted similar pauses.
Council members responded during the meeting that several would back a one-year moratorium while gathering more information. Councilman Prisbolinski said he would be in favor of a moratorium; Councilman Nelson and Councilman Dadney also expressed support for a one-year pause so the city can collect more information. The council did not vote on a moratorium at the meeting; members asked staff and the attorney to review legal issues and the public-access process for future actions.
No city staff or company representatives were recorded responding substantively to the specific contract claims during public comment. Attorney Snow offered to review public-access counselor guidance and provide a memo on procedural questions relating to public comment and speaking times.
