Shelbyville Mayor Claims Only Residents of ‘Shabby Homes’ Are Against Data Center Plans

A proposed $2 billion data center has ignited a political firestorm in the small city of Shelbyville, Indiana. The situation escalated when Mayor Scott Furgeson was recorded making a dismissive remark about the “No Data Center” signs popping up around town, stating, “I’ve seen a lot of these all over town, but I only see them in shitty houses,” and adding that “most of them are rentals.”

In the video, a woman quickly counters his comments, emphasizing that the residents are “working class,” while another voice reminds the mayor of a fundamental truth: “it doesn’t matter whether they’re rentals, they’re still human beings.”

Residents are understandably shocked by Furgeson’s condescending remarks towards his constituents. Alexas Williams described the mayor’s comments as “kind of disrespectful” and “kind of hurtful” in an interview with a local news outlet.

While the mayor has chosen not to elaborate further, a spokesperson from his office issued a statement expressing that “the mayor regrets that his choice of words may have caused offense.”