Daily Digest — April 8, 2026
Shelbyville City Council Approves $2 Billion Prologis Data Center Project
The Shelbyville Common Council voted 4-2-1 on Monday to approve annexation and zoning for a $2 billion data center complex proposed by California-based developer Prologis, according to multiple local reports. The project covers 429 acres near the I-74 and State Road 44 interchange, with city-owned property bringing the total site to approximately 575 acres for up to 11-13 buildings, as reported by WRTV and WIBC.
The approval came despite an unfavorable recommendation from the city's Plan Commission and fierce opposition from residents, according to WRTV. Council member Betsy Means-Davis and Thurman Adams voted against, while Denny Harold abstained due to a conflict of interest — he works for the same law firm that represented the petitioners, as reported by the Shelby News.
Key project details reported by WIBC include:
- Approximately 450 full-time jobs with average salaries around $100,000
- Prologis to cover electrical upgrades
- Closed-loop cooling system designed to use less water than comparable data centers
- No publicly identified tenant
Residents voiced concerns about environmental damage to water, wildlife, and farmland, with some indicating they are pursuing legal action, according to WISH-TV. The project is part of a broader wave of data center proposals across central Indiana, with similar discussions occurring in Hancock, Henry, Marion, and Morgan counties. Next steps include site design review and utility coordination.
Shelby County data center approved
WISH-TV
Shelbyville City Council Approves of $2 Billion Data Center Project
WIBC 93.1 FM
'SELLOUT!': City Council approves annexation petition for data center
Shelby News
Shelbyville city council advances plans for multibillion-dollar data center
WRTV
Shelbyville Common Council advances plans for $2B data center complex
Inside INdiana Business
Granbury City Council Approves Data Center Power Plant Rezoning Over Resident Opposition
The Granbury, Texas, City Council voted 5-1 on April 7 to rezone a roughly 2,000-acre parcel to allow construction of a power plant for a future data center, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The decision overrode the city's Planning & Zoning Commission, which recommended denial of the rezoning request.
The developer, Dallas-based Bilateral Energy LLC, had secured an emissions permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in July 2025 for a facility at 1225 Meadow Wood Road comprising:
- Eight simple-cycle power turbines
- 87 linear generators
The project has been accompanied by significant transparency concerns. As reported by the Star-Telegram, City Manager Chris Coffman initially denied knowledge of Bilateral Energy's involvement, though a letter of support and a tax abatement proposal for the project — referred to as "Project Patriot" — were approved in July and discussed in executive session. A law firm, Dias Hall Law, has sent a records preservation request to the city on behalf of unnamed taxpayers, signaling potential legal action.
The Council also unanimously approved new ordinance additions defining "data center" and "power generation" zoning standards, though residents questioned their enforceability, according to CBS Texas. Opponents indicated they plan to continue fighting the project.
Granbury data center power plant sows transparency concerns
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Granbury approves data center power plant, despite resident pleas
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Granbury leaders to weigh data center proposals as residents raise concerns
CBS TEXAS
City of Granbury considers zoning changes for data centers
CBS TEXAS
Sangamon County Board Narrowly Approves $500 Million CyrusOne Data Center
The Sangamon County Board in Illinois voted 17-10, with one abstention, to approve a zoning change for a $500 million data center project proposed by Dallas-based CyrusOne in Talkington Township near Waverly, according to NPR Illinois. The proposal had been tabled in March following extensive constituent complaints, as reported by Illinois Times.
The meeting, relocated to the Bank of Springfield Center due to anticipated turnout, saw hundreds of residents protesting. Some individuals were escorted out by law enforcement. District 7 board member Craig Hall, who represents Talkington Township, attempted to postpone the final vote, but his motion failed 17-11.
Project supporters cited economic benefits including:
- Approximately 500 construction jobs over several years
- 100 permanent positions
- Property tax revenue projected to increase from $20,000-$50,000 to $6.5 million annually
Opponents raised concerns about noise and air pollution from backup diesel generators, the facility's estimated 600-megawatt electricity demand, potential utility cost increases, and called for a local moratorium pending state-level regulatory action by the Illinois General Assembly, according to NPR Illinois. CyrusOne stated it plans to use a closed-loop cooling system and will fund electrical infrastructure upgrades. The project still requires various construction permits.
Virginia Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Blocking PW Digital Gateway; Opponents Press County to Drop Appeal
The Virginia Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that invalidated Prince William County's rezoning approval for the PW Digital Gateway data center project, according to the Virginia Mercury. The court found that the Board of Supervisors failed to properly advertise its public hearing before voting to rezone approximately 1,700 acres of farmland for up to 37 data centers in December 2023, as reported by ABC 7 News.
Opponents, including the Coalition to Protect Prince William County, are urging the Board of Supervisors not to appeal the decision to the Virginia Supreme Court. Coalition leader Elena Schlasber stated, "We will never give up" and "We are sick and tired of covering the bills for this industry," according to ABC 7 News.
A county spokesperson confirmed that officials are reviewing the ruling and that a county attorney will provide a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The county has a 30-day window to file an appeal. Steve Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, noted the county might appeal if it believes the project could generate revenue and reduce property tax pressure, but acknowledged the difficulty of overturning the circuit court's findings, as reported by WUSA9.
Groups urge Prince William Co. to end PW Digital Gateway pursuit
WUSA9
Opponents urge Virginia leaders not to appeal ruling voiding data center rezoning
ABC 7 News - WJLA
Va. Court of Appeals stops major data center development in Prince William County
Virginia Mercury
Opponents urge Prince William County not to appeal ruling voiding data center rezoning
ABC 7 News - WJLA