Hyperscale Data Centers Boosters: Carl Baxmeyer, Joe Thomas, Amy Drake & Jamie O’Brien
The record is clear: County Commissioner Carl Baxmeyer, County Council members Joe Thomas and Amy Drake, and disgraced former County Council attorney Jamie O’Brien all played starring roles in bringing Amazon & Microsoft to St. Joseph County.
And if it were up to Carl Baxmeyer, we’d have a third hyperscale data center!
Not only did he swear his “full support”, he called a third data center in New Carlisle a “no brainer” before it was defeated in December 2025. [1] [2]
To this day Carl Baxmeyer supports more massive data center projects and defends the $4.2 billion tax giveaway to Amazon, the wealthiest tech corporation in the world! [3] [4]
Joe Thomas voted for both the Amazon & Microsoft data centers!
Joe Thomas voted for the New Carlisle data center, giving away $4.2 billion in tax breaks to Amazon. He even attended the Amazon groundbreaking as a distinguished corporate guest & was presented with a special silver-plated shovel! [5] [6]
Next, Thomas voted for the massive Microsoft data center in Granger. His record is very pro-data center! [7]
Amy Drake supported the Amazon data center rezoning.
Drake voted for the 640-acre rezoning request for Amazon’s secret shell company Razor5. She also attended the Amazon groundbreaking as an honored guest and was given a silver-plated shovel! [8]
Disgraced former County Attorney Jamie O’Brien played a leading role in the passage of both the Amazon and Microsoft data centers.
In 2024, when Amazon’s secretive shell company Razor5 sought rezoning while hiding beyond non-disclosure agreements, it was the County Council Attorney — Jamie O’Brien — who made sure the deal was in legal compliance with county ordinances.
When the rezoning vote for Microsoft’s Granger site took place, it was O’Brien providing the legal and procedural guidance to the Council.
Later that summer, when Amazon was gifted a $4 billion tax break, it was Jamie O’Brien advising the Council on the structure of the contracts and tax ordinances.
The Amazon and Microsoft deals had Jamie O’Brien’s stamp of approval on them from the beginning. [9]
5 top local officials write letter supporting data center proposals | South Bend Tribune
County leaders urge ‘yes’ vote on New Carlisle data center ahead of Tuesday decision | ABC57
St. Joseph County candidates discuss data centers, mental health funding at voter forum | ABC57
St. Joseph County Council gives final approval for $11B Amazon data center | WNDU
Council gives OK to Amazon's tax abatements as issue of electrical demand emerges | South Bend Tribune
Officials celebrate collaboration to bring Amazon data center to Indiana | Inside Indiana Business
Microsoft is coming to St. Joseph County; buys 900 acres in Granger | WVPE
Council votes 8-1 to rezone farmland near New Carlisle for potential data center | South Bend Tribune