Lowell Data Center Town Hall Requires Advance Question Submission
VRQ, the developer behind Project Shirley, a proposed data center in Eagle Creek Township near Lowell, Indiana, will host a town hall meeting at Lowell High School. The event, scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m., features a 30-minute presentation followed by a 90-minute Q&A session. Notably, the developer mandates that all questions and comments be submitted in advance via their website or email, excluding live inquiries from the floor. This requirement has drawn criticism from community advocates like Lisa Vallee of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, who argues the format limits genuine public engagement and suggests the project is being rubber-stamped. The data center, initially proposed by Sentinel Data Centers on 160 acres, requires rezoning from agricultural to light industrial use. Proponents highlight a $5 billion investment and significant job creation, while opponents cite environmental concerns, referencing pollution issues with similar projects in Michigan City. The Lake County Plan Commission has postponed its rezone vote until May to allow for this public forum, marking one of several required hearings for the controversial infrastructure development.
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Lowell Data Center Town Hall Requires Advance Question Submission
VRQ, the developer behind Project Shirley, a proposed data center in Eagle Creek Township near Lowell, Indiana, will host a town hall meeting at Lowell High School. The event, scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m., features a 30-minute presentation followed by a 90-minute Q&A session. Notably, the developer mandates that all questions and comments be submitted in advance via their website or email, excluding live inquiries from the floor. This requirement has drawn criticism from community advocates like Lisa Vallee of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, who argues the format limits genuine public engagement and suggests the project is being rubber-stamped. The data center, initially proposed by Sentinel Data Centers on 160 acres, requires rezoning from agricultural to light industrial use. Proponents highlight a $5 billion investment and significant job creation, while opponents cite environmental concerns, referencing pollution issues with similar projects in Michigan City. The Lake County Plan Commission has postponed its rezone vote until May to allow for this public forum, marking one of several required hearings for the controversial infrastructure development.
chicagotribune