A panel of government, utility and economic development leaders gathered Wednesday in Indianapolis to discuss the growing role of data centers and how the rapidly expanding industry could affect communities across Central Indiana.
The discussion was hosted by the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA) and moderated by Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, who also serves as the organization’s vice chair.
Municipal leaders and industry experts participating in the panel included Bargersville Town Council President Andrew Greenwood, Morgan County Economic Development Corporation official Mike Dellinger, Patrick Maguire of AES, Justin Forshey of CenterPoint Energy, Ed Bukovac of Citizens Water, Erin Schneider and Kelley Karn of Duke Energy, and Chad Sweeney of Ginovus, a land-use consulting firm.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, who has been active in CIRDA’s regional economic development work, attended the meeting along with other local leaders from across Central Indiana.
Panelists discussed the infrastructure and resource requirements associated with data centers, including power, water usage and land needs. The technology sector has seen increasing demand for data centers as companies expand cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Jensen said the goal of the session was to ensure communities have reliable information as they consider whether data center development fits their long-term plans.
“Today was a very important step for Central Indiana — which represents 40% of the state’s GDP — to have a factual conversation about data centers, knowing that this technology is going to continue to grow,” Jensen said.
CIRDA officials described the panel as part of a broader effort to develop a long-term regional economic development strategy that will help keep Central Indiana competitive globally.
“CIRDA is going to continue to be part of the discussion in Central Indiana, and we need to understand the facts around what type of energy uses they have, what type of water uses they have, what kind of land they’re looking for,” Jensen said. “Then, that allows us — on the local level — to go back and inform our citizens and have an honest conversation about our future.”
CIRDA meetings are open to the public and are scheduled for May 13, July 15 and September 16 at IU Indianapolis’ Hine Hall, Kelley Room 137, located at 875 W. North Street in Indianapolis. Meetings run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.