Jefferson County Data Center Sparks Community Debate

Data Center is planned for the Jefferson Proving Ground property owned by the Ford Family

(Jefferson County, Ind.) - A massive hyperscale data center, the 2nd largest in the world, is planned for the former Jefferson Proving Grounds in Jefferson County, Indiana covering 549 acres with nine buildings, totaling 7.1 million square feet, roughly the size of 120 football fields. The site sits near the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, raising serious environmental concerns.

What Is a Data Center?

Data centers are highly secure, climate controlled facilities that house computing infrastructure that powers the internet. There are long rows of servers, massive backup systems, cooling units, and storage systems that permanently store and manage vast amounts of digital information including personal photos to global financial data. They run Cloud-based AI services for companies like Amazon, Google, Meta (Facebook), IBM Cloud, Oracle and Microsoft. They operate continuously and require massive amounts of electricity to power servers and water to keep them cool, often consuming as much energy as a small town.

Why People Are Concerned

• Secrecy: Developer identity, end users, and infrastructure details remain confidential, limiting public input.
• Resource Strain: The center could consume hundreds of megawatts of electricity and millions of gallons of water annually, straining local utilities and raising bills—not just in Jefferson County, but across neighboring counties that share the power grid.
• Economic Trade-offs: Promised tax revenue could shrink due to state exemptions on energy and equipment taxes for up to 50 years. Few permanent jobs are expected once construction is complete. Property values could be negatively affected by proximity to a data center. Stretched utilities could reduce new housing and businesses.
• Environmental Impact: Noise, heat, pollution and water use could affect wildlife, birds and insects including endangered species. Air and noise pollution from emissions caused by operations at data centers can affect human health.
• Public Safety: Lithium-ion battery systems pose fire risks; the county relies on volunteer fire departments with limited specialized equipment. There is a danger of unexploded ordinance within Jefferson Proving Grounds from when it was used as a testing range for the US Army.

Approval Controversy

Jefferson County’s zoning rules do not define data centers, allowing officials to classify the project as 7.1 million square foot industrial warehousing. This classification meant no public notice was required. The Improvement Location Permit was issued on February 25, 2026, sparking a public appeal.

Next Steps

The public hearing is the community’s chance to weigh in: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 5:00 PM Location: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 3767 W State Road 256, Madison, Indiana Comments can also be submitted in advance of the meeting by email: taylor.baulac@jeffersoncounty.in.gov or by phone: 812-274-3928.