Google officials have released a statement timed for distribution early today – the same day as the public forum that city officials say will answer critics' questions about the company's Fort Wayne data center.

In the first sentence of its news release, the tech giant makes clear that the data center is "now operational."

That news could come as a blow to opponents who formed a coalition only after city officials acquired the desired 892-acre site from New Haven and approved various incentives, including $55.5 million savings on property taxes, for the $2 billion project.

Some critics have said that if they can't stop the data center originally code named Project Zodiac, they at least hope to slow down its progress.

The forum, scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at the Grand Wayne Cent

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