Indy Lines Up $56M in Tax Breaks for a 40-Job Data Center. Neighbors Asked for Moving Help and Got a No.
Indianapolis officials are considering nearly $56 million in tax breaks for Metrobloks to build a data center on the former Sherman Drive-In site in Martindale-Brightwood. Residents oppose the project, citing health, environmental, traffic, water and utility concerns, while the Hoosier Environmental Council and residents have sued over the zoning approval. Separately, Evansville approved a 180-day pause on data-center permits while it studies zoning.
Metrobloks, a Los Angeles-based developer, is seeking nearly $56 million in Indianapolis tax abatements for a proposed data center at 2505 N. Sherman Drive. The project could include two buildings totaling 332,000 square feet and $7.6 billion in investment, but the abatement would be tied to only 40 permanent jobs. A public hearing and vote on the incentive package is scheduled before the Metropolitan Development Commission on Oct. 21.
Martindale-Brightwood residents have questioned the project's health, environmental and economic impacts and asked whether relocation assistance or direct community payments would be available. Indy Economic Development officials said no relocation aid or direct payments were planned, though the proposal includes $22.5 million for infrastructure, parks and community grants. The commission approved the site's zoning in April, and residents and the Hoosier Environmental Council filed a judicial-review lawsuit in Marion Superior Court seeking to overturn the approval and block construction. In a separate development, the Evansville City Council approved a 180-day pause on data-center permits while it studies zoning.