Google Data Center Developers Face Scrutiny Over Wetlands Expansion Plans

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is holding a virtual public hearing on Tuesday night to discuss a permit request from Google's data center developers in Fort Wayne. The Hatchworks LLC, which developed the campus, wants to fill 2.13 acres of forested wetlands for Phase 3 of the expansion.

The project would involve constructing three new buildings and is part of the $2 billion multi-phase expansion. According to the application, Hatchworks will purchase 4.26 acres of wetland credits from the Openings Mitigation Bank in Fort Wayne to offset the impacts of filling the two acres.

Fort Wayne City Councilman Geoff Paddock has expressed concerns about the request, citing environmental disruption and long-term impacts. He wrote a letter to IDEM asking for strict environmental standards during the review process.