Microsoft breaks ground on second data center in La Porte

On Wednesday, June 17, Microsoft, the City of La Porte, and the La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) hosted a community event featuring local leaders and Microsoft leadership to celebrate the groundbreaking of Microsoft’s second data center in La Porte. The two facilities are expected to have a significant impact on La Porte’s economic development over the next decade.

“It’s raining outside, but the sun is shining bright in the city of La Porte,” La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody said. “Some moments define the future of a community – today’s groundbreaking is one of those. This is a day that generations of La Porte residents will look back on and remember when a global leader chose to invest in our city, our people, and our future. We believe our community can stand alongside any city in the country when it comes to opportunity, innovation, and quality of life. Today’s groundbreaking is proof of that belief, and the investment that we celebrate today is historic.”

La Porte was chosen in part thanks to the efforts of Dermody and the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) who worked to create attractive incentives for the new development. The cooperation of local entities has been a big draw for Microsoft.

“We’re here because of the exceptional engagement, collaboration, vision, leadership, and support of Mayor Dermody, of city staff, of our partners, and of course the people who share our vision for responsible and sustainable growth rooted in Microsoft’s community-first principles, which are about bringing real benefits to the community,” Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Bo Wallace said. “We have begun what is a multi-year program to deliver our latest and leading designs, designs that are optimized for sustainability.”

The new data center is expected to be a workforce driver in the Region, creating 200+ new jobs and providing growth opportunities for the city. Dr. Sandra Wood, LPCSC superintendent, is excited that students can experience the frontier of technology and cloud computing without having to leave their city.

“The children we serve are ultimately the reason we are here, and the reason this collaboration is so important,” Wood said. “As superintendent, I spend a great deal of time thinking about what our students will need years from now, and whether we will be prepared to provide it. What this partnership represents for us is stability – the stability to plan beyond a single budget cycle to invest in programs and pathways that change what students believe is possible for their own future. It is exactly what our students deserve if we expect them to compete and succeed in a rapidly changing world.”

The groundbreaking comes shortly after the renegotiation of the previous tax agreement for an updated agreement that sees Microsoft paying its full share of property taxes to the city. The new agreement would see 15% of those taxes going to the LPCSC to continue supporting educational opportunities in La Porte schools.

The partnership between Microsoft, the City of La Porte, and LPCSC has been nothing short of historic. All parties expect the effects of the work they’re doing to be felt for generations to come.

“When we were last together, we were celebrating a partnership between the City of La Porte, Microsoft, and the La Porte Community School Corporation. Words like historic, transformational, and unprecedented were used to describe this project and the new relationship between these organizations. Those words ring even more true today,” said Bert Cook, LEAP executive director. “Microsoft has stood shoulder to shoulder with the city of La Porte from the very beginning. We have worked in tandem through challenges, found ways to improve the project together, and embody the essence of collaboration.”

The second data center will be built alongside Highway 35 between Boyd Boulevard and County Road 250.

To learn more about the City of La Porte, visit cityoflaporte.com.

Learn more about the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership at laportepartnership.com.