When a data center comes to town, who gets the money?
Indianapolis officials are negotiating a tax incentive package for Metrobloks’ proposed $3.4 billion data center in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood. The package could provide at least $22.5 million for community investments, but residents remain divided over the project, the tax savings and how the money would be distributed ahead of a potential Oct. 21 vote.
Metrobloks is seeking incentives for a proposed data center at the former Sherman Drive-in Theater on North Sherman Drive in Indianapolis. The project, now estimated at $3.4 billion, has received rezoning approval and could receive more than $183 million in combined property-tax savings for the developer and future tenants. In return, Metrobloks has pledged at least $22.5 million for Martindale Brightwood, with as much as $32.5 million potentially available over time for infrastructure, parks, workforce training and other community programs.
Residents and community organizers remain strongly opposed to the development and questioned whether the city’s outreach process is genuine. Indy Economic Development Inc. President and CEO Andrea Richter-Garry said officials are still working on how the funds would be administered, while City-County Councilor Ron Gibson supports the project as a major investment opportunity. The Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled to consider the incentive package at a public hearing on Oct. 21, although the vote could be delayed. The article also notes that the City-County Council has approved a pending moratorium on data center development and that Sabey Data Center Properties is pursuing a separate multibillion-dollar project in Decatur Township.