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Parke County Commissioners take action against data centers

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM

By Staff report

With a moratorium already in place against solar and rumors of a proposed data center swirling on social media, the Parke County Commissioners took a major step Monday in ensuring it is tough for data centers to set up in the county.

The Commissioners sent a clear message they have "no interest" in a data center coming to Parke County. However, the Commissioners were warned by attorney Nick Sauter that an outright ban cannot happen. 

Jim Meece, President of the Commissioners, told those in attendance that the county will look to ban any data center that is not independent from the local grid, and that the county will look to ban any data center dependent on local water systems for cooling. 

"It must be an enclosed, looped direct contact system," Meece said. 

The actions on Monday do not completely ban data centers, as one can still come into Parke County provided it has its own independent electric system and will not use local water. 

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