Monday, April 6, 2026

The Shelbyville Common Council is scheduled to conduct a second reading tonight on the annexation and zoning of land for a proposed data center project, "Project Hackman," near the I-74 and E. State Road 44 interchange. This hyperscale project, developed by Prologis, has been a topic of discussion since early 2025. Significant community opposition has emerged, led by the "Shelby County Citizens Against Data Centers" group. Hope Fenton, representing the group, stated that protests and sign-waving events aim to raise awareness about potential risks and harm to adjacent property owners. The group submitted a petition with nearly 2,500 signatures to City Hall last week, explicitly requesting a moratorium on data center development to allow for better evaluation and regulatory implementation. Conversely, a published letter to the editor defends Project Hackman, addressing opponents' concerns. It notes Prologis's commitment to fully fund power system upgrades and all utility costs, a claim confirmed by RushShelby Energy's president and CEO. The letter also clarifies that the project will use a closed-loop, air-cooled system with municipal water, without drawing from local groundwater, and outlines measures to minimize light pollution, manage noise, improve drainage, and incorporate landscaping. Proponents emphasize the project's economic benefits, projecting up to $2 billion in real property investment, 330 full-time jobs, thousands of construction jobs, and millions in new property tax revenue for local schools and services. Prologis's long operational history and commitment to binding agreements are cited as evidence of responsible development, urging residents to consider all facts before drawing conclusions.