Shelbyville Mayor Criticized After Video Shows Comments About Homes Opposing Data Center Project
A growing dispute over a proposed data center development in Shelbyville has intensified after Mayor Scott Furgeson was caught on video making disparaging remarks about residents displaying anti-data-center signs.
In the recording, Furgeson said he had seen “No Data Center” signs around town but claimed they appeared primarily in what he described as “shitty houses,” later adding that many of the properties were rentals. People speaking with him in the video immediately pushed back, noting that many of the homes belonged to working-class residents and renters who are still members of the community.
The comments come amid a contentious fight over a proposed multi-billion-dollar data center project planned for Shelbyville. According to reporting on the project, more than 2,000 residents signed a petition opposing the development even as local officials advanced plans for the site.
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Residents interviewed by local media said the mayor’s remarks felt dismissive and insulting. The reaction quickly spread online, where community members and commenters criticized the characterization of working-class neighborhoods and renters. Some argued the comments reflected a disconnect between city leadership and residents concerned about the project’s impact.
In a statement released after the video circulated, the mayor’s office said Furgeson regretted that his choice of words caused offense. The statement said his comments were intended to reference property conditions and not the value or importance of homeowners or renters.
The controversy has become the latest flashpoint in Indiana’s broader debate over large-scale data center development, a topic that continues to draw opposition in communities concerned about land use, utility demand, and local growth decisions.
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