Tech Giant Eyes Bristol for $1 Billion Data Center, Faces Local Pushback

Photo byJeff Parrott

BRISTOL, IN — In a rapidly evolving trend for the Michiana region, yet another tech giant is eyeing Elkhart County for a massive data center development. This time, the spotlight is on Bristol, where a proposed $1 billion data center campus is drawing both interest and concern from the local community.

An undisclosed technology company, represented by California-based developer The Province Group, has set its sights on 247 acres of farmland at County Roads 14 and 23. The proposed development would consist of nearly a million square feet of one-story buildings designed to house powerful computer servers and processors, crucial infrastructure for cloud services, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence applications. The construction is expected to span five to seven years and generate up to 150 jobs.

The project mirrors recent moves by tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, who have already secured rezoning approvals to establish data centers between South Bend and New Carlisle and in Granger, respectively. However, like the previous proposals, the Bristol project is encountering significant opposition from local residents. Concerns primarily revolve around potential noise pollution and the possibility of declining property values in the surrounding areas.

To proceed, the project requires a rezoning from agricultural to manufacturing use. The Elkhart County Plan Commission has already given its approval, recommending the rezoning request to the Bristol Town Council. A final vote was initially scheduled for the council’s September 5 meeting. However, the overwhelming turnout of concerned residents—who filled the small meeting room with questions and objections—prompted the council to postpone its decision.

The council has now rescheduled the meeting for Monday at 5 p.m. at the Bristol Public Library, where they hope a larger venue will accommodate both supporters and critics of the development. The upcoming meeting is expected to be a decisive moment for the future of the proposed data center in Bristol, as community voices make their concerns heard and the council weighs the economic benefits against potential community impacts.