Mayor seems to soften on proposed $56M data center tax break
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett appears to be reconsidering proposed tax breaks for data center projects, specifically a $56 million incentive for Metro Blocks' half-billion-dollar data center. The proposal faces opposition due to the perceived cost to Indianapolis schools and taxpayers. A public hearing on the tax break has been postponed until August 19th.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett is reportedly softening his stance on significant tax breaks for proposed data center developments in the city. The primary focus is on a $56 million tax incentive package for Metro Blocks, a company planning to build a half-billion-dollar data center on Sherman Drive.
Opponents of the tax break argue that it would cost Indianapolis schools and students $56 million, prioritizing corporations over education. The Mayor's own Director of Metropolitan Development, Russ McQuaid, has publicly recommended against the Metro Blocks tax break, suggesting the commission withdraw the request. The Indianapolis Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which Mayor Hogsett also endorses, is considering this tax break along with other undetermined incentive packages for two additional proposed data centers.
Mayor Hogsett stated that while he remains open to incentive packages, they must make economic sense and are not a guaranteed commitment. A public hearing before the Metropolitan Development Commission to discuss the tax break proposal, originally scheduled for the following day, has been postponed until August 19th due to a filed continuance.