The $1bn Microsoft La Porte data center campus in Indiana hosted an open house to provide updates on potential expansion plans. The event was also an opportunity for people to learn more about these plans. It was hosted by developer Microsoft and La Porte city leaders for a chance to present plans for the project in the hopes that the city will approve land annexation.
This would allow Microsoft to expand its data center campuses in the region. Phase one of their project is already underway as a data center is constructed off Boyd Boulevard, just south of East Lincolnway. However, Microsoft noted in a local media report that they are not stopping there. “We bring a lot of jobs, we bring a lot of tax revenue, there are a lot of other benefits that come with it.
We all use technology more and more every day, whether that’s the TVs, cars, in your home, all across the planet. These data centers help power that technology everywhere we are,” said Jonathan Noble, Microsoft senior director.
Other Projects
Microsoft is among various data center developers as Vantage Data Centers is also working on its $2bn data center in the neighboring state of Ohio. The firm selected Turner Construction as the project’s general contractor in Q4 of 2024. The New Albany (OH1) campus (1.5M sq. ft.) is currently under construction with the first building operational by late 2025. A second, $2.1B, 450-acre Millersport campus in Fairfield County is planned, with construction expected to start soon, aiming for operations by 2027
Scope of Implementation on the Microsoft La Porte Data Center in Indiana
The Microsoft La Porte data center proposed expansion would be on nine parcels of land just south of Boyd Boulevard. Moreover, the main property will run along Highway 35 south to County Road 250. According to city leaders, they have created an agreement that ensures a section of that tax revenue from the project goes towards schools. “Microsoft is our choice.
They’ve been a great community partner from the start, and we’re happy to have them investing in the future,” said Bert Cook, La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership executive director. Nonetheless, not everyone was pleased with the potential expansion in the open house session. “I’m young. I don’t want to grow up around that. It can do a lot of things mentally, physically. I don’t want to have to see that happen to people or my siblings,” said Emma Ulrich, La Porte resident.
The final vote for this expansion is coming down to the La Porte City Council, which will decide whether or not to approve the land annexation in a final vote in May. According to city leaders, it’s likely to go through. The council will vote on May 18 on the land annexation. If greenlit, Microsoft will then be able to move forward with the expansion.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Microsoft La Porte Data Center Campus
- Location: La Porte, Indiana
- Estimated Investment Value: $1 Billion
- Project Type: Data center campus
Timeline
- Phase 1: Under construction
- May 18: City council vote on land annexation
- Next phase: Expansion subject to approval
Site & Scale
- Initial site: Boyd Boulevard (south of East Lincolnway)
- Expansion area: Nine land parcels along Highway 35 to County Road 250
- Campus: Multi-building data center development
Project Teams
- Developer: Microsoft
- Local Partner: La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership
Infrastructure Scope
- Data center facilities for cloud and digital services
- Campus expansion across additional land parcels
- Supporting utilities and infrastructure
Strategic Objectives
- Expand data center capacity
- Support growing demand for cloud and AI services
- Generate local jobs and tax revenue
- Contribute funding to local schools
Challenges
- Community concerns over expansion impacts
- Approval dependent on city council decision
Current Status
- Phase 1 construction ongoing
- Expansion plans under review
- Awaiting final vote on land annexation
