Dear Editor,

My husband and I live a mile west of the proposed data center. I spent quite a bit of time reading the Forward Kosciusko County Comprehensive Plan. Nowhere in this document of visioning the future for Kosciusko County does it say we will destroy highly productive farmland for heavy industry. Instead, the goals and objectives section states: “We will balance the needs of our County’s agricultural industries by protecting prime farmland from incompatible development.” Statements such as this are found throughout the plan that stresses the importance of protecting our agricultural heritage.

To rezone agricultural land to Industrial 3 will forever change not just the 554 acres but all surrounding land and aquifers. Once farmland is converted to industrial use, it is basically impossible to reclaim it for agriculture. Heavy industry brings increased traffic, noise, pollution and environmental risks that can harm neighboring farms, water sources and the quality of life for area residents.

I urge our commissioners and community members to think long term. Industrial development has its place in our county, but put it in a space already zoned for industry. A heavy industry such as a data center does not belong on prime farmland that has been, is currently and in the future zoned for agriculture. Please vote to deny this permit.

Holly Yoder