# St. Joseph County Council Initiates Data Center Ban Process

The St. Joseph County Council voted 6-3 on September 22, 2026, to begin the process of banning future hyperscale data centers in unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County, Indiana. This action directs the Area Plan Commission to draft zoning ordinance amendments that would restrict new hyperscale data center developments. The resolution is preliminary and does not impose an immediate ban but reflects local concerns about environmental impacts and infrastructure strain, balanced against the economic benefits provided by existing data centers operated by companies such as Microsoft and Amazon.

- Procurement professionals and contractors should note that future data center development opportunities in unincorporated St. Joseph County may be limited or subject to new zoning restrictions pending ordinance adoption.
- Existing data center operators like Microsoft and Amazon currently contribute to the local economy, but expansion plans could face regulatory hurdles.
- Organizations involved in data center construction, infrastructure, or related services should evaluate the potential impact of zoning changes on project timelines and feasibility in this region.
- Economic development stakeholders may need to engage with local government and community groups to address concerns and influence policy outcomes affecting technology infrastructure investments.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- St. Joseph County Council
- Area Plan Commission

### Vendors
- Microsoft (existing data center operator)
- Amazon (existing data center operator)

### Key Quotes
> Amazon has provided more than $1.5 million in community grants, sponsorships, and projects. We built a new playground at La Casa de Amistad serving more than 1,300 young people per year, launched the first Think Big STEM lab in Indiana at New Prairie High School, and have proudly sponsored New Carlisle Hometown Days and Christmas in New Carlisle for two years running.
> — Sam Markman, Economic Development Manager, Amazon Web Services

### Sources
- [St. Joseph County Council Votes To Begin Data Center Ban Process - InkFreeNews.com](https://www.inkfreenews.com/2026/09/25/st-joseph-county-council-votes-to-begin-data-center-ban-process) - InkFreeNews.com