Proposed data center in Madison raises questions from residents

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A proposed data center that could become one of the largest in Indiana and possibly in the nation is generating both excitement and concern in Madison, Indiana.

While supporters point to the potential economic development, many residents say key questions remain unanswered.

One of the biggest concerns is who would be using the facility.

"Google's got one whose data center, its only purpose to exist is to study protein folds to create new medicines. That would be fantastic," Elijah Chandler said. "Tell me we're building that, and I'll switch sides today. But what I know is this is going to be a co-location. Anyone can rent server space here."

Residents say information about the project has been difficult to obtain.

"I think the biggest thing that we've been able to glean is that corporations are not going to talk about anything until they're ready to break ground," Chandler said. "There's so much misinformation."

The proposed site is on the former Jefferson Proving Ground, a 55,000-acre property spanning three Indiana counties. From the 1940s through the mid-1990s, the U.S. Army used the land to test munitions. In recent decades, nature has reclaimed much of the area, creating habitat for wildlife and scenic views for nearby residents.

"We look out our front window right now and we see the proving ground woods," said Donnie Bruther. "It's nothing to come out and see six or eight deer in the morning out there. Turkeys."

Bruther says he is not necessarily opposed to development but wants assurances that local residents won't bear the cost.

"I wouldn't mind it going in if I'm almost guaranteed that I'm not going to have the worries of my utilities going up, my water bill going up, my property value dropping," he said. "I understand it's going to do a lot tax-wise for the county. As long as that doesn't affect me and the utilities and my property value, it's not going to affect me — as long as I don't have to look at it."

Questions also remain about potential tax incentives connected to the project.

"All we really know for sure is that our county passed an Economic Revitalization Area resolution," one opponent said. "That will lead most likely to tax abatements, which I believe will harm the citizens of the county."

Residents hoping for answers attended a town hall meeting Friday night. However, the developer and property owner declined invitations to attend.

For now, many in the community say they're left with more questions than answers as county leaders continue discussions about a project that could dramatically transform the landscape of southeastern Indiana.

Bruther says he enjoys the peace and quiet of living next to the proving grounds. But with so little information available, he says the silence surrounding the project has become one of the biggest frustrations of all.