Proposed JPG data center could generate $60M taxes annually (copy)

Daniel and Deanna Ford of Dupont, Indiana, children of Dean Ford, have submitted a plan to develop a 549-acre data center campus on a portion of the former Jefferson Proving Ground to the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Office. The property is already zoned industrial, and the development plan received approval in February, contingent on compliance with all federal and state permits. The project is projected to create approximately 300 jobs and generate an estimated $60 million in annual tax revenue for Jefferson County, potentially exceeding the county's entire annual government budget. The proposed campus will feature large, concrete structures housing servers, storage, and networking equipment, with a total of nine buildings spanning over 7 million square feet. The Fords are emphasizing community engagement, holding discussions with local residents to address concerns. Daniel Ford stated that the multi-billion dollar investment will be a multi-year, phased effort, taking three to four years for full build-out. Addressing common data center concerns, Daniel Ford assured that all electrical infrastructure upgrades required by the project will be 100% funded by the development, preventing cost burdens on local ratepayers. He highlighted that these upgrades will also improve overall grid reliability for the county. For water usage, a closed-loop cooling system will be implemented, significantly minimizing water consumption, with the entire campus using less water than a typical golf course. The project will utilize existing JPG infrastructure for water and sewage. Furthermore, the Fords plan to commit $25 million in charitable funds to local nonprofit organizations, including an initial $1.5 million contribution to the Jefferson County 4-H Fairgrounds. They are also collaborating with Ivy Tech Community College Madison and Jefferson County high schools to develop workforce training programs to prepare local residents for the anticipated 300 high-paying, on-site jobs. The family stressed that the project is an independent effort, seeking no tax abatements or special favors, and is driven by a commitment to long-term stewardship of their ancestral land.