Indianapolis councilor investigates potential impact of DC Blox data center

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart is actively investigating a proposed $2 billion data center project by DC BLOX on the east side of Indianapolis. To gain firsthand insight, Hart plans to tour an existing DC BLOX data center in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday. His visit aims to assess potential impacts, such as noise levels, by talking to locals and using a decibel meter, before the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission makes a decision on the project. Hart emphasizes the need to evaluate each development on a case-by-case basis, referencing his previous opposition to a Google data center in Franklin Township that was ultimately withdrawn. Meanwhile, the Citizens Action Coalition, along with 27 other public interest organizations, is advocating for a statewide moratorium on data center development across Indiana. Program Director Ben Inskeep urged elected officials to be skeptical of information provided by companies and called for stronger protections for residents. The proposed DC BLOX data center project will proceed to a public hearing before the Metropolitan Development Commission on June 11 at the City-County Building in Indianapolis, where a final decision on its approval will be made. Councilor Hart's goal is to compare past experiences and gather sufficient information to determine if the DC BLOX project is a suitable fit for his district and community.