Charlestown mayor says approved $105M data center must clear several hurdles before construction
Charlestown, Indiana, has approved a $105 million data center project with several stipulations, including an environmental study and proof of no strain on utilities. The city's Plan Commission is also considering a data center moratorium following this approval, which came after an emotional public meeting.
The city of Charlestown, Indiana, has given the green light to a 55,000 square foot data center project, estimated at just over $100 million. The approval from the Charlestown Plan Commission followed an emotional public meeting, but came with a series of strict stipulations for the developer.
Charlestown Mayor Mike Clark stated that the first requirement for the unnamed company is to complete a comprehensive environmental study before any construction can begin. Other critical conditions include proving the data center will not strain the city's electric or water infrastructure, and testing all water used to cool servers before it is discharged into the city's wastewater treatment facility. The project is limited to a single building, with no expansion permitted, and must be screened by an earthen berm and an evergreen buffer.
Mayor Clark acknowledged the difficult timing of the approval, noting that the city was actively updating its zoning codes, a process that followed a comprehensive plan developed last year. A community feedback survey with 600 responses indicated that data centers were not a significant concern for residents at the time. Despite Indiana offering tax incentives for large-scale data centers, this project will not receive local tax exemptions, with the anticipated revenue slated for local quality-of-life improvements.
Looking ahead, the Charlestown Planning Commission is expected to consider a data center moratorium, suggesting a potential pause on future data center developments in the city.