Daily Digest — September 17, 2026
Indianapolis Approves $240M in Tax Breaks for Sabey's $4.3B Data Center Despite Lawsuit and Moratorium
The Metropolitan Development Commission in Indianapolis approved over $240 million in tax abatements for Sabey Data Centers' proposed $4.3 billion, two-building campus in Decatur Township, according to WFYI and Mirror Indy. The incentives include:
- A 60% real estate tax reduction over 10 years
- A 90% equipment tax break over 15 years
- An additional $157 million in abatements for Sabey's unnamed tenant
The project spans 130 acres and over 1 million square feet, with a 250-megawatt on-site electrical substation and a closed-loop water-reduction system. Construction is expected to conclude by 2031. Mayor Joe Hogsett's office projected Sabey would become a top 10 taxpayer in Marion County during the abatement period, with Decatur Township Schools and the Indianapolis Public Library expected to receive $31 million and $3 million respectively over 15 years.
The approval came despite significant community opposition. Pat Andrews of the Decatur Township Civic Council raised concerns about disparities between investment dollars and assessed value, potential health effects, and inadequate compensation for the township fire department. Seven residents filed a judicial review lawsuit in April to halt construction, which remains under review, as reported by Mirror Indy. Decatur Township Schools Superintendent Scott Collins remained neutral, questioning whether promised funds would directly benefit schools under the city's tax distribution structure.
Sabey committed to $29.8 million in community investments including $5 million for road improvements and $24.5 million for a new aquatic center. The project was among three approved prior to the commission's moratorium on new data center projects in Marion County through 2027. A separate tax abatement vote for the "Metrobloks" data center in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood is scheduled for October 21.
East Indianapolis Community Group Launches Legal Appeal of Data Center Project
A community group in East Indianapolis has hired a lawyer to appeal a separate data center project, according to WTHR. Details of the specific project and grounds for appeal were not elaborated in the report.
Construction Worker Killed at Meta Data Center Site in Indiana
A construction worker died in a crash at Meta's data center construction site in Indiana, according to Fox 59. Local authorities are involved. No additional details were provided in the report.
Wisconsin Rapids Planning Commission Unanimously Recommends Denial of Data Center Permit
The Wisconsin Rapids Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the city council deny a conditional use permit for DC Rapids LLC (PNK Group) to convert a former paper mill site into a hyperscale data center, according to WSAW and WAOW. City staff cited 33 shortcomings in the application, including:
- Lack of approval from the electric utility company
- Missing detailed employment and shift projections
- Absent construction traffic details
- No general orientation of the buildings
Anton Veronin, representing the applicant, stated the company had provided a detailed response addressing the requirements and committed to further collaboration. The final decision goes to the Common Council, with a vote expected October 20. DC Rapids LLC retains the option to reapply after addressing concerns.
The process could be further complicated by a proposed data center moratorium that Wisconsin Rapids is currently drafting, following a vote last month. The public hearing drew contentious testimony, with neighborhood groups supporting denial and local trade unions advocating for the construction jobs the project would create. Mayor Matt Zacher emphasized the importance of due diligence to protect community safety.
Planning commission votes to recommend denial of data center permit
WSAW
Wisconsin Rapids Planning Commission denies data center proposal
WAOW
Public hearing Wednesday for proposed data center at former Wisconsin Rapids papermill site
WSAW
Wisconsin Rapids planning commission votes 7-0 to deny recommendation on proposed data center
WAOW
Wisconsin Rapids Planning Commission denies data center permits
Daily Tribune Media
Over 1,100 Attend Leavenworth County Meeting to Oppose Project Bluestem Data Center
More than 1,100 residents packed a Leavenworth County Commission meeting in Tonganoxie, Kansas, to voice opposition to Project Bluestem, a proposed 1,000-acre data center development by Cloverleaf Infrastructure, according to KSHB 41 and KCTV5. The project has doubled in size since its original proposal in March.
Key community concerns include:
- Estimated energy consumption of up to 1.2 gigawatts, with an on-site gas-powered plant
- Proximity to schools (within 1.2 to 3 miles)
- Air, noise, and light pollution impacts on livestock and generational farmland
- Potential heat effects on nearby crops, as raised by local farmers referencing a University of Michigan study
The county's data center moratorium expired last month, allowing Cloverleaf to file an enlarged plan. Commissioners previously adopted a shorter temporary moratorium after residents submitted a petition requesting 18 months, as reported by KSHB 41. Commissioner Vanessa Reed noted a divide within the community and said some project supporters feared speaking publicly. Leavenworth County is now exploring new data center regulations that Project Bluestem would be subject to.
Local farmers, including winery owner Ed Ervin and sunflower farmer Ted Grinter, warned that heat from the facility could damage crops, according to KSHB 41. Cloverleaf Infrastructure stated the project would create jobs, generate tax revenue, and include charitable contributions. Two commissioners, Mike Smith and Willie Dove, were absent from the meeting, drawing criticism from attendees, as reported by FOX4. No formal action was taken at the meeting.
Data center proposal draws crowd to Leavenworth County meeting
KCTV5 News
Leavenworth County to Host Meeting on 1,000-Acre Data Center
KSHB 41
1,100 turn out at meeting Wednesday against Project Bluestem data center proposal in Tonganoxie, Kansas
KSHB 41 Kansas City
Tonganoxie residents share opposition of proposed power plant, data center
FOX4 News Kansas City
Leavenworth Farmers Raise Concerns Over Data Center Plan
KSHB 41
Hundreds Rally at Missouri Capitol for Statewide Data Center Moratorium; One Arrested
Hundreds of protestors gathered at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City demanding a statewide moratorium on data center construction and new regulatory protections, according to the Kansas City Star and KRCG. The "No MO Dirty Data Centers" coalition, organized by the Missouri Workers Center and the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, held a "people's hearing on AI data centers."
The coalition's platform demands include:
- No new data centers until health and environmental protections are in place
- Prevention of utility rate hikes attributable to data centers
- An end to tax incentives for data center developers
- Increased community involvement in approval decisions
- Requirements for technology companies to contribute to host communities
Residents from Franklin, Montgomery, and Callaway counties shared concerns about recently approved projects near their homes. Speakers included both progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans. Clare Barclay of the Raytown School District highlighted potential diversion of school funding through tax incentives. State lawmakers Rep. Brad Christ of St. Louis and Rep. Brian Seitz of Branson attended and indicated growing legislative interest, with Seitz suggesting data center regulation would be a primary discussion point in the 2027 legislative session, as reported by the Kansas City Star.
A 31-year-old man from Kansas City was arrested by Jefferson City Police during a march outside the Capitol for being in the road without proper permits, according to KRCG.
Demonstrators gather at State Capitol against AI data centers
KRCG
Hundreds of Missourians rally for pause of data center development, man arrested
ABC17NEWS
At Missouri Capitol, protesters call for data center moratorium and privacy rules
Kansas City Star
Demonstrators call for data center regulations at Missouri State Capitol
KOMU 8 News
Protesters demand data center moratorium at Missouri Capitol
ABC17NEWS
Columbus Residents Push for Data Center Moratorium at Public Hearing
Data center opponents urged Columbus, Ohio, officials to enact a moratorium on new data center developments during a public hearing, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Details on the city's response or any pending legislative action were not elaborated in the report.
Investigation Reveals Ohio Data Center Water Usage; Legislators Consider Reporting Requirements
Public records from Columbus Water & Power show data centers are among central Ohio's top water consumers, though they account for about 3% of the system's total consumption, according to News 5 Cleveland and KMVT. Key findings:
- Google's New Albany data center used over 1 billion gallons last year, exceeding the consumption of the nearby suburb of Bexley
- Google's Columbus facility used approximately 448 million gallons
- The Columbus water system supplied 156 million gallons daily last year against a capacity of 245 million gallons daily
Water administrator John Newsome expressed confidence in the region's supply but acknowledged growing industrial demand. Ohio legislators are considering mandatory water reporting requirements for data centers, following the industry practice of citing trade secrets to avoid disclosing usage details. Helena Volzer of the Alliance for the Great Lakes advocated for disclosure requirements for all large water users.
The Columbus water department is exploring the use of recycled wastewater for industrial cooling via a separate pipeline system serving areas south of the city. The project is expected to solicit proposals next year, with data center operators expected to fund the infrastructure in exchange for lower rates.
Ohio Data Centers' Water Usage Revealed Through Public Records, Prompting Legislative Scrutiny
KMVT
How much water are data centers really using? #shorts
KSHB 41
How much water do data centers really use? Here's what we learned from public records.
News 5 Cleveland WEWS
How Much Water Do Ohio Data Centers Actually Use?
News 5 Cleveland