At tonight’s regular meeting of the Merrillville Town Council, my fellow council members and I unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on future data center project approvals in the Town of Merrillville.
This decision was not made because anyone is opposed to technology, economic development, or future investment. In fact, Merrillville has already been approached by four separate data center developers over the past several months, with one proposal being considerably more serious and advanced than the others.
However, these large hyperscale data centers are unlike traditional commercial or industrial developments. Their size, infrastructure demands, utility usage, and long-term impacts require careful study and thoughtful planning. Quite simply, we believe more time is needed before making decisions that could shape our community for decades to come.
Recently, I shared my belief that government works best when we govern with facts, not assumptions. Tonight’s action reflects that philosophy.
Merrillville is in a unique and fortunate position. Our neighboring community, Hobart, has already approved a major data center campus that is now under construction. That gives Merrillville something many communities never have — the ability to closely observe a real-world project unfolding right next door.
Rather than rushing into approvals, we now can study how this type of development impacts infrastructure, utilities, traffic, noise levels, economic growth, tax revenue, and compatibility with nearby neighborhoods. Most importantly, we will be able to see whether the project is ultimately built and operated in the manner that was presented and promised to local officials and residents.
This one-year pause allows Merrillville leaders to gather information, ask questions, review facts, and make more informed decisions in the future.
Below is the statement I read during tonight’s council meeting prior to the vote:
“Merrillville finds itself in a unique and fortunate position regarding the discussion of future data center developments. With our neighboring community, the City of Hobart already having approved a large data center campus that is now under construction, local officials in Merrillville have an opportunity that many communities do not have — the ability to closely observe a real-world project unfolding right next door.
Waiting, studying, and learning from a neighboring community’s experiences may ultimately provide Merrillville leaders with the valuable information necessary to make a more informed and educated decision for our residents and our future.
Rather than rushing into decisions, Merrillville can take the prudent approach by monitoring how the Hobart project develops over the next year or longer. This observation period will allow our community to evaluate whether the project is built and operated in the manner that was presented and promised to Hobart officials and residents.
It also gives us time to better understand potential impacts involving infrastructure, traffic, utilities, noise, economic development, tax revenue, and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
I will now entertain a motion to place a one-year moratorium on any Data Center Project approvals in the Town of Merrillville from June 1st, 2026, through May 31st, 2027.”
Good government is not about moving the fastest. Sometimes it is about taking the time to gather facts, learn from others, and make decisions that best protect the long-term interests of our residents and community.
Tonight, I believe the Town Council did exactly that.
-Rick Bella, Town Council President, Ward 5 Representative