City-County Council Divided on Google Data Center Project

The Indianapolis City-County Council is divided on a proposed $1 billion Google data center project in Franklin Township. The council must approve the rezoning for the project, which has raised concerns about economic benefits, quality of life impacts, and strain on utilities and water.

"It is going to suck all of the water out of the ground, and I'm not going to have clean drinking water for my family and my community." - Warren Township resident Meredith Sharp

Councilman Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents Franklin Township, plans to call for a full hearing on the proposal, which would lead to a final vote by the council on September 22.

The project has drawn opposition from residents and some council members over concerns about the economic benefits. According to Hart, Google confirmed that the data center would require 1 million gallons of water per building per day, with four buildings planned, that would be 4 million gallons per day or more than the typical daily usage of the entire Boone County town of Whitestown.

City-County Councilor Ron Gibson, a Democrat, believes that the concerns about water usage are unfounded. He was assured by Citizens Energy Group that they would source water for the data center from the White River, which wouldn't impact wells.

"Currently, that parcel generates around $40,000-something in tax revenue," Gibson said. "But when Google takes over that development, they will generate some $10.5 million in tax revenue."

Hart doubts the economic benefit of the project, citing Indiana law providing up to 50 years of tax breaks for data centers and the permanent job creation falling short of smaller developments.

"This is giving up a lot of land for no tax base, no jobs, and puts a hardened burden on the community." - Councilman Michael-Paul Hart

Citizens Energy Group's water system capacity is 256 million gallons per day, with plans to expand to 300. While they did not confirm Google would draw from the White River, Citizens said drawing from the river shouldn't impact wells.