City of Mishawaka passes ordinance that would extend utility services to Microsoft Data Center site

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Ahead of the 2025 State of the City address, the Common Council approved an ordinance that could give the City the ability to provide utilities 4 miles beyond the boundaries.

“Make no mistake this is an urgent request,” said Matt Lentsch the City of Mishawaka Executive Director of Development & Governmental Affairs.

That ordinance lays the foundation towards The City of Mishawaka providing utilities to future developments along the outskirts of the current City limits, that includes the Microsoft Data Center.

County officials took the stand to speak out against the ordinance, saying they felt mislead and that Microsoft’s water needs could be met by other means.

The President of the County Council said he would have not voted for the rezoning of the land, if he knew this was the plan.

“Is this the Mishawaka way? I am just deeply disappointed,” said Dan Schaetzle.

Mishawaka Common Council President, Gregg Hixenbaugh said the best interest of Mishawaka was behind Monday’s unanimous decision, and that the City has spent millions expanding the infrastructure.

"Microsoft or whomever is interested in developing conjunction with the growth of the city of Mishawaka. We wanted to be prepared to be able to take advantage of that opportunity and the action that was taken by the common council last night allows us to do that,” said Hixenbaugh.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will make the call whether or not the service boundaries can be extended.