Developer files to build data center on east side of Indianapolis

DC Blox, a data center developer based in Atlanta, has proposed a more than $2 billion investment to construct a three-building data center campus on the east side of Indianapolis. The proposed site is the former Ford Visteon manufacturing plant at 305 Fintail Drive in the East Gate neighborhood, a location unused since 2007. The project, which is expected to create 35 permanent high-wage jobs and up to 600 temporary construction roles, involves seeking a variance of use approval from the Metropolitan Development Commission. This approval would allow the land, currently recommended for heavy industrial purposes, to be used for a data center without undergoing a full rezoning by the City-County Council. The first public hearing for the project is scheduled for May 14 at 1 p.m. at the City-County Building. Data center developments have become a contentious issue for Indiana residents, including those in Indianapolis, due to high energy and water demands. Neighborhood groups in Indianapolis have organized information campaigns and protests against such facilities. DC Blox has committed to paying for all related infrastructure costs, including a new substation and any additional generation needed for the campus, addressing concerns raised by utility provider AES regarding large-load operators. This proposal follows previous data center activities in Indianapolis, including Google's withdrawal of plans for a hyperscale center in Franklin Township after facing council opposition, and recent approvals for other data center projects in Decatur Township and Martindale Brightwood. DC Blox views its project as a redevelopment effort for a long-vacant industrial site.