When Cynthia North steps outside her home in Wheatfield, Indiana, she confronts a landscape altered by construction. Across the street, metal fences, dirt mounds, and trucks dominate the view. Her feelings are mixed, leaning toward frustration.
North, who recently moved her handmade ‘For Sale’ signs inside due to storms, now contemplates selling her house. The development of a data center nearby is the catalyst.
The Project Rise data center, positioned between E. 1350 N and County Road 300 in Kankakee Township, distresses North and her neighbors. They worry about declining property values, noise, and water quality. Frustration mounts as they rally against the $7 billion development.
“The property value will plummet. The noise and water quality issues will make living here unbearable,” said North, a 12-year resident of the area.
North, joined by a small group of local activists, is fundraising $10,000 for legal counsel. Their aim is to contest the development legally. The group seeks to ensure compliance with land-use rules, address any law violations, and keep residents informed.
Georgette Aguilar, living six miles from the site, shares this resolve. She hopes any legal means can halt the project.
“We want to stop it. If there’s a legal way, we’ll find it,” Aguilar stressed.
The announcement of Project Rise in June was accompanied by promises of employment. Amazon pledged 250 permanent jobs for the county. However, residents recall meetings where their concerns felt dismissed.
Dawn Jefferson, residing near Jasper’s border, felt decisions were pre-defined before public involvement.
North recalls learning of the project through neighborhood signs. Since then, she’s been engaged, learning about data centers’ impacts through local groups like Just Transition Northwest Indiana (JTNWI).
JTNWI has been assisting residents from the start, painting a picture of rushed approvals and potential environmental oversight. According to their data, the center could consume up to 27,000 gallons of water daily.
Amazon’s representatives defend the project, citing agreements with NIPSCO, electric savings, and investments in renewable energy. They claim community engagement efforts have been sincere.
NIPSCO plans to supply energy to the center, along with infrastructure investments. Yet residents remain wary. Fears of environmental and economic consequences linger, despite assurances.
Amazon asserts compliance with regulatory standards. They emphasize limited generator use and strict emission controls.
Jasper County officials, pressured by constituents, insist due diligence shaped their approval. Commissioners highlight consulting experts and transparency efforts surrounding the project.
Still, the divide between official narratives and resident experiences persists. North and others seek accountability, feeling their voices sidelined as decisions unfold.
Aguilar concludes with determination.
“I have to keep fighting for our future. We can’t afford to let go,” Aguilar declared.