Data center activity in Indiana
Indiana's main hurdle is local moratoriums, with at least 82 enacted, although at least 12 were rejected. Zoning remains broadly supportive, with at least 70 approvals against ten denials, and at least 28 projects were approved despite opposition compared with nine blocked. At least 88 companies are active, a sign of strong investor interest. Indiana offers a more favorable path than neighboring Ohio and Illinois, where denials and blocked projects are considerably more common.
Indiana's main hurdle is local moratoriums, with at least 82 enacted, although at least 12 were rejected. Zoning remains broadly supportive, with at least 70 approvals against ten denials, and at least 28 projects were approved despite opposition compared with nine blocked. At least 88 companies are active, a sign of strong investor interest. Indiana offers a more favorable path than neighboring Ohio and Illinois, where denials and blocked projects are considerably more common.
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Amazon is considering several properties in Posey County, Indiana, for a potential data center and held an open house to answer residents’ questions. Residents expressed mixed reactions, with some seeking stronger protections and others concerned the project would bring limited local employment while affecting the community.
Amazon presented its water-use plan for its data center under construction in New Carlisle to the St. Joseph County Water Resources Advisory Board. The facility is expected to use about 18 million gallons of water annually for cooling, with heated water discharged into the wastewater system, while Amazon has committed $114 million for water and wastewater infrastructure.
Data centers have become an issue in Indiana's secretary of state race, even though the office has limited authority over data center development. Candidates have discussed local control, tax incentives, electricity costs, environmental impacts and water planning amid opposition to projects, including Google's abandoned proposal in Franklin Township.
The Tippecanoe Area Plan approved new restrictions governing large-scale data centers in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The action establishes regulatory limits for future data center development rather than deciding on a specific project.
The Lake County Plan Commission unanimously tabled an amendment that would establish new zoning definitions, approval requirements and operating standards for data centers. The proposed rules would require measures addressing electric capacity, water management, thermal impacts, noise and emergency access, while a zoning consultant reviews the language.
At least 50 Indiana counties have adopted restrictions on data center development, citing concerns about electricity demand, water use, noise, light pollution and neighborhood impacts. Warrick County is considering rules for the proposed Project Alloy, while Vanderburgh County and Evansville have temporarily paused development, including a 180-day moratorium approved by the Evansville City Council.
The Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission advanced proposed restrictions for large data centers under Unified Zoning Ordinance Amendment 129. Residents raised concerns about electricity demand, water use, noise and environmental impacts, while commissioners added a requirement for independent pre- and post-construction noise studies.
Tippecanoe County residents raised concerns about proposed zoning regulations for large data centers during a public hearing. The proposed ordinance would replace temporary rules set to expire in November and addresses potential impacts on electricity demand, water use, the environment and nearby neighborhoods.
Michigan City residents are urging the City Council to adopt stronger restrictions on data center development amid concerns about a proposed Google data center project. The council is considering proposed regulations for future data center development.
Alcoa is evaluating a proposed data center called Project Alloy on about 700 acres of company-owned land in Warrick County, Indiana. County officials are also drafting a permanent data center ordinance that would require project-specific rezoning and address concerns including water, electricity, traffic, noise and environmental impacts.
A decision on proposed tax breaks for the Metrobloks data center in Indianapolis has been postponed. The delay leaves the data center’s proposed tax incentives unresolved.
A vote on a proposed $52.6 million tax incentive package for Metrobloks' planned data center in Indianapolis' Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood has been postponed. Residents and the Black Church Coalition are seeking greater community input and opposing the use of public funds, while city officials say the incentives could generate long-term tax revenue and neighborhood benefits.
Michigan City officials are considering a temporary moratorium on new hyperscale data centers through July 31, 2028. The proposed ordinance would exempt Google’s data center, which is already under construction, prompting residents to demand stronger restrictions and oppose future expansion.
More than half of Indiana counties now restrict data center development through moratoriums, permanent bans or regulatory ordinances. Marion County recently approved a temporary ban, while the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved a $737.3 million AES Indiana plan to serve a Google data center in Monrovia, prompting concerns about transmission costs being passed to customers.
Starke County commissioners approved an ordinance banning commercial data center development in all zoning districts across the county's unincorporated areas. The ban cites concerns about water consumption, electrical grid strain and low-frequency noise, amid widespread public opposition.
The Michigan City City Council advanced a proposed moratorium on data center development as residents sought additional restrictions on Google's ongoing project. The effort reflects local concerns about limiting the project's effects on the community.
NiSource and Microsoft reached a 20-year agreement to provide power for Microsoft’s planned data center campus in northwest Indiana, with service expected to begin in 2028. Microsoft will fund the generation and transmission infrastructure, while the arrangement is projected to increase savings for Northern Indiana Public Service Company customers and support grid reliability.
The Pharos-Tribune reports that data center standards are scheduled for review by the local city council in Plymouth, Indiana. No specific company, project, or proposed standard is identified in the available text.
The Warrick County Commission is scheduled to consider a proposed ordinance regulating data center development on November 9. The ordinance, to be reviewed after a public hearing by the Area Plan Commission, would establish application and review requirements addressing noise, water use, traffic and public safety.
Fort Wayne officials are beginning work on zoning regulations for data centers after the City Council rejected a proposed 365-day moratorium in a tied vote. The effort follows concerns about Google’s data center near Adams Center Road, including its size, cooling towers and diesel generators.