As a resident, taxpayer, and utility ratepayer in Michigan City, Indiana, I cherish our community and am deeply concerned about the proposed $832 million data center project at the former ANCO plant located at 402 Royal Road. This is not just another business looking to settle in our town; it is a colossal, heavy-industrial operation that will have a profound impact on every aspect of our daily lives.

The scale and nature of this project require us to scrutinize every facet thoroughly. Currently zoned for industrial use, the site of the proposed project demands careful consideration. We, the residents and utility ratepayers, are demanding complete transparency and assertive local oversight from the Common Council and Mayor of Michigan City.

In our collective plea for accountability, we urge our city leaders to leverage every available municipal tool—including withholding local tax incentives, rejecting TIF district creations, and ensuring the project meshes seamlessly with our community's long-term vision and goals.

Our demand for transparency isn't just a reactionary stand; it is a proactive measure to protect local resources. This will ensure that our community's interests are safeguarded over the interests of a multi-billion-dollar tech corporation.