SHELBYVILLE MAYOR'S DATA CENTER COMMENTS SPARK BACKLASH

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

TUE, JUL 21, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

Shelbyville, Indiana's mayor Scott Furgeson faced criticism after being caught on camera dismissing opposition to a proposed $2 billion data center by disparaging residents' homes.

Mayor Scott Furgeson made the comments while discussing "No Data Center" signs appearing throughout the city. "I've seen a lot of these all over town, but I only see them in shitty houses," Furgeson said in a recorded conversation, adding that "most of them are rentals." The remark drew immediate pushback from the person he was speaking with, who pointed out that the opposition comes from working-class residents. The data center proposal has become a contentious issue in the small Indiana city, with residents expressing concerns about environmental impact, traffic, and infrastructure strain. The project represents a significant economic opportunity for the area but has divided the community. Furgeson's comments underscore the tension between the city's development ambitions and resident concerns about the project's effects on quality of life.

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► The Verge

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SHELBYVILLE MAYOR'S DATA CENTER COMMENTS SPARK BACKLASH

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