Residents in Northwest Indiana are fighting back against proposals to build two data centers in Hobart, with plans to rally and protest ahead of a council meeting on Wednesday.
“It’s not good for us; it’s not good for Hobart at all,” said Alice Pawlowski, a longtime resident of 45 years. “It’s going to change our landscape.”
Pawlowski and others have been protesting for weeks saying their questions and concerns are not being addressed by the mayor and city council.
“We’re a proud little community, but unfortunately we don’t feel as though, you know, we’re being listened to,” said Hobart resident Jennifer Williams.
Two developers want to build two data centers along 61st Avenue, NBC Chicago has learned. One of them, Hobart Devco, is seeking approval for six two-story data buildings that would sit on 168 acres of land at 61st Avenue and Arizona Street.
Each building is up to 350,000 square feet, and the construction would be done in phases.
Residents who are part of the “No Data Centers Hobart Indiana” Facebook group worry about the centers’ energy and water consumption, the impact on the environment, and the possible health risk.
Angelita Soriano lives across the street from the proposed project and has two young daughters.
“They want to be able to play outside without having to, you know, consume those carbon emissions, hear the noise,” said Soriano. “It’s very disheartening that your city leaders aren’t listening to our concerns.
Mayor Josh Huddlestun declined our request for an on-camera interview. His office said he was not available, but in a statement the mayor told NBC Chicago in part: “I support developments where corporations pay their fair share of taxes and utility costs. When done responsibly and within the guardrails we’ve established, these projects allow us to strengthen public safety, remain fiscally responsible, and maintain a high quality of life, without shifting the burden onto our residents.”
He added: “With the passage of SEA 1 and the strain it places on local governments and schools, this development gives us the opportunity to continue funding essential services while finding additional ways to support our community.”
“With rising costs affecting families throughout Hobart, strategic growth has never been more important. This data center project offers us something rare: the opportunity to strengthen our city’s finances without burdening residents with tax increases or referendums that other communities must rely on. It’s an investment that protects what we all value most about Hobart while building on the qualities that make our city one of the best places to live in Indiana,” he said in the statement.
Soriano is calling on city leaders to hold a town hall meeting with the developers and the community.
“It’s only going to get more pushback and we really do need the mayor and our city council to listen to us because we’re the ones that put them in office they work for us for the taxpayers,” said Soriano.
A plan commission meeting is scheduled to take place Thursday at 7 p.m. The city said the venue was moved to the PCC building to accommodate the possible turnout from the group.
NBC Chicago reached out to the developers for a comment. We did not get a response.
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