Mayor of Indiana Claims Anti-Data-Center Residents Live in Poor Homes

Controversy Surrounds Indiana Mayor’s Remarks

An Indiana mayor is facing backlash after implying that those opposed to a local data center live in poor-quality housing. Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson made these remarks during a conversation captured on video, which has stirred discontent among community members.

While holding a sign against the data center, Furgeson stated, “I’ve seen a lot of this around town, but I only see it in bad houses.” When a woman mentioned that such sentiments often come from working-class homes, he responded, “Most of them are rented.”

Residents have expressed outrage over the mayor’s comments. One local citizen conveyed to a news outlet, “I think very harmful, very inappropriate and disrespectful language was used. Everyone deserves to be heard on this.” It seems many believe the remarks undermine the voices of the community.

Furgeson, a Republican, was nominated as the party’s candidate for mayor in 2023. The town is currently grappling with a proposed multibillion-dollar data center project, which has faced stiff opposition from neighbors.

The project plans to convert 429 acres of farmland into an extensive data center complex. More than 2,000 individuals have signed a petition to stop it, yet the City Council has moved forward despite vocal protests from residents, raising concerns over the potential rise in energy costs and resource strain.

Furgeson later clarified that he regretted any offense his comments may have caused, emphasizing he wasn’t referring to the value of the residents but rather “the upkeep of the property.”

Concerns about the impact of increasing AI data centers across the U.S. have been mounting. A recent analysis indicated that these centers are straining the power grid, potentially affecting the quality of electricity in surrounding areas.

In March, leaders from major tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, signed a pledge at the White House to contribute to the necessary power infrastructure for data centers. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum remarked that the high energy demands of AI could drive up prices, suggesting that data centers must bring their power sources.