A proposed $2bn DC BLOX data center campus in Indianapolis has been greenlit in Indianapolis, Indiana by local authorities. The data center campus, which will be built in the Thunderbird Commerce Center at 305 Fintail Drive, was given the go-ahead by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development. However, the proposal that was approved was a scaled back version of the original plan. It detailed a three-building campus.

The new plan only shows two buildings that include a one-story, 70,000 sq. ft. building expected to be completed in two years. It also entails a two-story, 250,000 sq. ft. building estimated for completion in five years. DC Blox scaled the project back as a concession to opponents, who are preparing to file an appeal for judicial review. This is based on to a report by local outlet Ink Free News. Other upcoming data center projects include the Savannah River Site data center project by the D.O.E as Amentum is chosen as the contracted company for the project. Moreover, the firm has already commenced lease negotiations with the DOE regarding the project. NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams said the project is intended to boost U.S. leadership in AI.

Opposition Regarding the DC BLOX Data Center Campus in Indianapolis

The DC BLOX data center campus in Indianapolis has faced massive opposition from locals who are skeptical about the project. A petition against the campus has received 2,183 signatures at the time of writing. Moreover, an appeal has been filed against the hearing examiner’s recommendation as locals fight back the development. The company has said that the data center would see around $1.8 to $2 billion in investment.

DC BLOX has previously said that the campus will have a peak demand of approximately 80-100MW. The company has also said that “it will pay for the infrastructure upgrades and energy production costs needed to serve the project.” The firm is based in the US and has facilities in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, and has cable landing stations in South Carolina and Florida. It also says its footprint totals 470MW and 2.78 million sq. ft. across 23 facilities.

Project Overview

• Project Value: $2B
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Developer: DC BLOX
• Status: Approved (scaled-back plan)

Scope

• Two data center buildings
• 70,000 sq. ft. first building
• 250,000 sq. ft. second building
• Located at Thunderbird Commerce Center

Project Highlights

• Estimated 80–100MW capacity
• Up to $2B investment
• Developer funding infrastructure upgrades
• Construction phased over five years

Key Developments

• Metropolitan Development approved project
• Original three-building plan reduced to two
• Scale reduced following community concerns
• Judicial appeal also expected

Community Concerns

• Strong local opposition
• Petition exceeds 2,100 signatures
• Legal appeal also filed
• Residents continue to challenge project

Outlook

• Project cleared to move forward
• Legal challenges could affect timeline
• Phased construction also planned
• Investment expected to boost local digital infrastructure