Frankfort Has the Water, Sewer and Power to Support a Data Center, Utilities Chief Says

Frankfort Municipal Utilities General Manager Todd Corrie affirmed the City of Frankfort's readiness to support data center development, citing ample water, sewer, and electrical capacity during a recent interview on WILO's "Party Line." Corrie addressed public concerns about water consumption and electricity rates, explaining that Frankfort is well-positioned in both areas. He pointed to a jointly owned 230-kilovolt substation north of the former Conagra property, shared by Duke Energy, IMPA, and Wabash Valley, which still has available power capacity. Corrie also noted that several existing local employers, such as Frito-Lay, already utilize comparable amounts of electricity and water without impacting resident rates.

He advocated for data centers by comparing them to heavy manufacturing, suggesting data centers create less traffic and require less extensive utility plant expansions. Corrie highlighted ongoing infrastructure investments, including nearing completion water and sewer service to State Road 65, and a planned $10-12 million lift station project expected to be operational by 2028, which will alleviate current capacity issues and enable future housing growth. While acknowledging the difficulty of securing land for large-scale data center facilities, Corrie expressed a desire for a fourth electrical substation to enhance system reliability, a project currently stalled by rising land costs.

Corrie also touched upon recent heavy rainfall events, praising past infrastructure investments for preventing widespread flooding in areas that previously experienced it. He underscored the critical, yet often unappreciated, role of robust infrastructure in attracting both new homes and businesses to the city.