Google has been identified as the company behind a proposed data center in Franklin Township, according to city planning documents obtained through a public records request. Photo by Anthony Quintano, Wikimedia Commons.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Google has been identified as the company behind a proposed data center in Franklin Township, according to city planning documents obtained through a public records request.

The name of the tech giant was disclosed in correspondence between the developer and Indianapolis city planning staff. While the company had not previously been publicly confirmed, the documents reveal direct references to Google in a response to city planning questions. A spokesperson for the company declined to confirm or deny involvement when contacted, though the representative responded to other inquiries.

The proposed development spans more than 460 acres on the southeast side of Indianapolis and remains under review by city officials. In late June, a hearing examiner from the Metropolitan Development Commission recommended approval of a zoning request for the project, despite opposition from local residents during a public hearing. The final decision will rest with the full commission, which is expected to discuss the matter later this month.

The project has drawn scrutiny from residents, who raised concerns over transparency and potential environmental and economic impacts. One local elected official reportedly signed a non-disclosure agreement with the company, limiting the amount of information that could be shared with the public.

Google is one of several tech companies rapidly expanding data center operations to meet the increasing demands of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The Franklin Township site would be among more than 20 existing or planned data centers operated by the company across the U.S., including locations in Fort Wayne, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Kansas City.

According to planning documents, the development is expected to take between five and ten years to complete and could create hundreds of construction jobs during that time. Once operational, the facility is projected to employ 50 full-time workers initially, with potential for 200 to 350 employees at full build-out. The average salary for those positions is estimated to be around $100,000 annually, including benefits.

However, concerns have been raised about the long-term trade-offs. Community members and experts have pointed to potential environmental costs, including increased energy and water consumption, and the strain large-scale projects may place on local infrastructure and public health.

Research suggests data centers significantly contribute to pollution-related illnesses and public health expenses. One recent study estimated Google’s operations alone generated more than $2.6 billion in such costs between 2019 and 2023. The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, attributes the bulk of those impacts to emissions from diesel generators and other energy use.

The company has disputed the methodology of that research, emphasizing its investments in clean energy and improvements in operational efficiency. Google has pledged to power all of its data centers with carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030, and reports emissions based on the actual grid locations of its operations.

In Franklin Township, residents have voiced opposition to the center’s potential effects on water access, utility costs, and local development. Planning documents indicate the site could require up to 2 to 3 million gallons of water per day during peak usage, an amount that utilities provider Citizens Energy has reportedly said is available. Critics worry such use could threaten surrounding properties, including farms and small businesses.

The debate in Indianapolis reflects broader tensions in communities across the country, where similar projects are being proposed under a veil of corporate confidentiality. Industry leaders argue non-disclosure agreements are necessary to protect proprietary information and remain competitive. Opponents say such secrecy undermines the ability of communities to make informed decisions about their future.

The Franklin Township data center proposal remains under public and regulatory review. Final approval from Indianapolis officials would allow the project to move forward, but many residents say they intend to continue pushing for greater transparency and environmental safeguards.