By John Kim
Publication Date: 2026-04-14 03:40:00
LAPORTE, Ind. (WNDU) – The LaPorte Common Council voted Monday night to annex roughly 1,000 acres of farmland near Microsoft’s data center project.
Microsoft is already breaking ground on a data center project covering about 500 acres in LaPorte. The company is building six data center buildings and now plans to add 11 more for a total of 17.
The council approved a request from landowners in the county to annex their lands into the city. The land sits next to where Microsoft is building.
City leaders said the land annexation request came voluntarily from landowners.
Microsoft outlined what it will bring to the community, including local jobs and AI training programs through nonprofits. The company said it will cover infrastructure costs so residents’ electric bills will stay the same.
LaPorte County Commissioner Joe Haney said the county wasn’t aware of the land purchase until it happened.
“When the city filed the paperwork and announced the annexation, they gave no notice…
