Residents say St. Joseph County leaders ignored public input on Microsoft data center deal

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – Residents near a proposed Microsoft data center site say St. Joseph County leaders made decisions without listening to their opinions, after the St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft on Tuesday.

The MOU does not approve construction. It covers preliminary work connected to water, sewer and roads.

Residents speak out

Several residents who live near the proposed site spoke during the meeting, saying they feel excluded from discussions about the project.

“But there hasn’t been any meetings with Microsoft… It’s all been done with the commissioners or whoever is privy to that,” said Janie Jaronik, a Granger resident.

Public comment was scheduled for the end of the meeting. Indiana’s open-door law requires meetings to be open but does not mandate a public comment period.

Public comment policy varies by board

Several open meetings in the area — including those held by the St. Joseph County…