East Indianapolis data center approved by metropolitan development commission
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission has approved a DC BLOX data center project in East Indianapolis with a 6-1 vote, despite significant community opposition and protests. Local residents are now planning to appeal the decision. Separately, Marion County is also considering a proposed moratorium on new data center developments.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission has voted 6-1 to approve a DC BLOX data center project located in East Indianapolis, specifically in the Irvington area on the site of an old Ford plant. The decision was met with anger and frustration from community members, who had protested for an hour before the meeting and expressed their concerns during the hearing.
Ella Rhodes reported live from the city county building, noting that people were escorted out of the meeting due to shouting and expletives following the vote. DC BLOX had presented at the hearing, making recent adjustments to the project, which now consists of two buildings with 31 generators.
Despite the approval, community members like Amy Bonnin and the East Side Community Action group have vowed to continue fighting the decision. East Side Community Action is currently raising money to hire a lawyer to appeal the commission's vote. Furthermore, the report clarified a separate development: Marion County is molding a proposed moratorium on new data center developments that would last at least a year. While a committee has advanced this proposal, it has not yet been passed by the full council and does not apply to projects already in the works, such as the approved DC BLOX facility.