West Lafayette community voices opposition to SK Hynix semiconductor plant proposal

The Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss significant developments concerning the proposed SK Hynix semiconductor facility in the Purdue Research Park. The meeting featured a range of community voices expressing concerns about the potential impacts of the facility on local residents and the environment.

The session began with a resident from Arbor Chase, who raised concerns about the long-term implications of approving the facility. He emphasized that the expansion of industrial operations could lead to the displacement of residents and negatively affect the community's appeal to highly educated professionals associated with Purdue University. He noted that over 1,000 community members had expressed opposition to the project, fearing it would diminish the area's livability and ecological integrity.

Several speakers, including faculty members from Purdue, echoed these sentiments. A professor of electrical and computer engineering shared personal anecdotes about the community's value, urging the commission to consider the long-term health and well-being of residents, particularly children. Another faculty member from the biochemistry department expressed concerns about potential health hazards associated with the facility, stating that the decision could force his family to leave the area.

In response to the community's apprehensions, representatives from SK Hynix addressed the commission, asserting that the facility would adhere to strict environmental regulations and would not produce harmful emissions. They highlighted that the site was designed to minimize impact on surrounding neighborhoods and that stormwater management and traffic concerns would be addressed in the planning stages.

The discussion concluded without a definitive resolution, as the commission members did not pose questions to the representatives. The meeting underscored a significant divide between community concerns and the assurances provided by the company, setting the stage for further deliberations on the future of the proposed semiconductor plant in Tippecanoe County.