Porter: ‘This is a slap in the face to the Martindale-Brightwood community’

Yesterday, April 1, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission approved the Metrobloks Data Center in the Martindale-Brightwood community. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) spoke at the commission meeting on behalf of his constituents. 

Porter released the following statement: 

“This is a slap in the face to the Martindale-Brightwood community. They did what they’re supposed to do: contacted their local officials, protested, and spoke in one voice. Residents worked diligently to add a quality-of-life plan to the proposal. But they were ignored. 

“Profits cannot come before people. Economic development shouldn’t come at the expense of working families' well-being. Big tech oligarchs shouldn’t be the ones rapidly reshaping our local communities. 

“We know little about the environmental impact, little about the impact on utilities and whether residents will even benefit from these new jobs. Already high electric bills could get even higher. As elected officials, we have an obligation to stand with our people. We have an obligation to protect our communities from profit-driven developers whose sole allegiance is to shareholders. 

“Indy’s eastside deserves thoughtful, community-focused development, not speculative projects that offer limited benefits and long-term consequences.”