Warrick County weighs new data center rules as Alcoa ‘Project Alloy’ draws closer
Alcoa is evaluating a proposed data center called Project Alloy on about 700 acres of company-owned land in Warrick County, Indiana. County officials are also drafting a permanent data center ordinance that would require project-specific rezoning and address concerns including water, electricity, traffic, noise and environmental impacts.
Alcoa is evaluating Project Alloy, a proposed data center development on roughly 700 acres near its Warrick County power plant. The project remains in due diligence, with studies expected to examine water supply and cooling, electrical demand, environmental conditions, flood risks, traffic, noise, emissions and other potential impacts. County officials have not verified the development team’s information or determined whether local infrastructure can support the facility.
Separately, the Warrick County Commissioners and Area Plan Commission are developing a permanent data center ordinance that would create a Data Center Overlay zoning district. The draft would require elected county commissioners to approve a site-specific rezoning rather than allowing approval through a special exception. Public hearings are expected, with residents divided over potential water, lighting and noise impacts, while officials say the goal is to establish standards before deciding whether Project Alloy or future proposals are appropriate.