ANGOLA, IN — A crowd is anticipated for a meeting tonight (Monday, January 23rd) for a public hearing on a proposed 78-acre cattle growing operation in Steuben County.

The operation reportedly plans to accommodate 8,000 head of cattle that will be housed in barns.

According to officials with the Steuben County Plan Commission, the use is permitted according to the county’s regulations, but the application is expected to go through other hurdles. Challenges will likely include some from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the county’s health department.

The proposed operation is located on 1000 East, south of Clear lake, north of 200 north and south of 300 north and entails two separate parcels used contingently.

The application, submitted in December by Wagler & Associates in Angola, lists Noah and Michael Schmucker as the property owners. 

A group of citizens from Clear, Hamilton and Little Long lakes are organizing to oppose the operation.

Tonight’s meeting will begin at 7 PM at the Steuben County Community Center, located at 317 South Wayne Street in Angola.

Public comment will be heard. The doors will open at 6 p.m. for the 7 o’clock meeting.