**Local opposition to hyperscale data centers has driven a wave of municipal and county-level pauses across Indiana in 2026, fueled by concerns over electricity demand, water consumption, noise, and grid impacts from AI infrastructure growth.** Indianapolis/Marion County enacted a binding moratorium through December 2027 in August after a 23-1 council vote and unanimous Metropolitan Development Commission approval, exempting three prior projects. Similar one-year or longer pauses took effect in Elkhart, Clark County, Zionsville, Owen County, and elsewhere, with 21–25 local actions tracked by early October. Fort Wayne’s proposed pause faces a key vote on October 13 amid amendments. State policy remains supportive via sales-tax exemptions and no enacted statewide moratorium, leaving trader sentiment focused on whether mounting local pressure and resource debates will prompt broader legislation before year-end.