County discusses hiring consultant to draft data-center ordinance, no formal vote

A presenter told commissioners that consultant HWC has prepared ordinance templates for other communities and proposed producing a draft data-center ordinance for Blackford County and facilitating public meetings. The presenter said the draft would help the county provide starting language to the Area Planning Commission (APC) if the commissioners choose to submit it later.

"...we would, give that to you to where you could at least submit the draft of the ordinance book to the APC," the presenter said, describing the process. He emphasized that the draft is intended as a starting point for public discussion rather than as the county's final ordinance.

The presenter noted possible costs associated with public meetings and described the value of public input before any formal APC submittal. Commissioners agreed they wanted to keep the APC in the loop and to solicit public feedback. No motion was recorded to contract HWC at the meeting; the board discussed timing and next steps.