Amazon Web Services Launches $7 Billion Indiana Data Center

Amazon Web Services held a groundbreaking ceremony for Project Rise, a $7 billion data center campus in Jasper County, Indiana, near Wheatfield. The facility will occupy 320 acres of land purchased from Northern Indiana Public Service Company, which will provide power via the R.M. Schahfer generating plant. The project is expected to create 250 permanent local jobs and generate $1.25 billion in cost savings for utility customers over 15 years.

To facilitate the development, Jasper County approved a 10-year property tax abatement and a 35-year equipment exemption. In return, Amazon committed to over $700 million in community impact payments over 35 years, including $25 million for Wheatfield Township's water access and $25 million to retire the town's sewer bond. The company also pledged to restore 425 acres in the Kankakee River watershed.

Simultaneously, Amazon secured agreements with Kline Township supervisors for a separate nine-data center campus. Under these terms, the company will pay $15.5 million in community benefits and $250,000 annually for 12 years in taxes. Township Supervisor Gary Perna stated these funds will be held in escrow to potentially offset resident tax increases or fund emergency services. Construction in Kline Township awaits final state and county permits, with the first buildings slated to open in 2029.