As Indiana continues to emerge as a hub for massive data center development, Clinton County officials will soon take up a controversial proposal that has drawn sharp debate from residents, business leaders, and elected officials.
Next Tuesday, September 2, the Clinton County Area Plan Commission will review a petition from Logix Realty, LLC to rezone roughly 150 acres north of ConAgra from agricultural (A-1) to light industrial (I-1). The move would clear the way for a potential large-scale data center development adjacent to land the City of Frankfort has already rezoned for similar use.
Growing Trend, Local Hesitation
Data centers are becoming big business in Indiana. According to DataCenterMap.com, the state now has 72 active facilities, a nearly 30% increase since March 2025. Major tech firms are leading the charge: Amazon is developing an 800-acre campus in northern Indiana, and Google is investing $2 billion in Fort Wayne. Meta has also secured approvals for Project Domino, a 1,500-acre, multi-building complex in Boone County’s LEAP District.
Governor Mike Braun has touted data centers as an opportunity to make Indiana a national leader in the digital economy. “Everyone’s trying to jockey for that position because whoever gets it right, it’ll have a multiplier effect in terms of economic development in general,” Braun said earlier this year.
But in Clinton County, the push has stirred concerns. County leaders have historically resisted broad rezoning without a confirmed end-user, arguing it could leave the door open for projects that don’t align with the county’s vision or infrastructure capacity.
Frankfort’s $1.4 Billion Head Start
The City of Frankfort previously approved rezoning of 115 acres east of ConAgra for a potential $1.4 billion data center project. If developed, city officials estimate the site could consume one million gallons of water per day.
The Logix petition seeks to add another 150 acres directly adjacent to the city’s project, effectively creating a larger footprint for data center development in Clinton County.
Water Use at the Center of Debate
One of the primary objections raised by residents involves the potential strain on local water supplies. The proposal comes amid heightened concerns over the Tippecanoe River Basin aquifer, already targeted by Lebanon’s LEAP District project to draw 100 million gallons daily. By comparison, all of Tippecanoe County uses roughly 35 million gallons per day.
Frankfort Utilities has conducted its own aquifer study, but details remain limited, leaving many questions about long-term sustainability unanswered.
Community Opposition Grows
Grassroots opposition is also mounting. Local resident Tammy Danner has distributed “No Data Center” yard signs across the county and has actively mobilized residents on social media. A large turnout is expected for the September 2 hearing, with county officials bracing for 80 to 150 people in attendance. The courthouse chambers can hold roughly 100, meaning overflow is likely.
A Statewide Push Backed by Incentives
The surge in Indiana data centers is fueled in part by aggressive tax incentives. The Data Center Gross Retail and Use Tax Exemption offers up to a 50-year tax break for qualifying projects over $750 million.
While developers argue the incentives create jobs and spur investment, critics counter that the projects offer limited permanent employment compared to the strain on utilities and land use.
What Comes Next
The Clinton County Area Plan Commission will meet on Tuesday to consider the Logix rezoning petition. The commission’s role is limited to questions of land use and consistency with the county’s comprehensive plan, but the decision will certainly shape Clinton County’s future.
Will Clinton County Officials Approve the Data Center?
Arguments in Favor of Approval
- Massive Economic Upside
- The planned data center could rank among the largest private investments in Indiana, possibly exceeding $10 billion and covering around 700 acres with a 7 million sq ft footprint.
- Logistix suggests it could bring approximately 350 permanent jobs and offer over 1,000 construction jobs during development.
- Infrastructure & Tax Benefits
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- Frankfort utilities have issued a “will serve” letter, indicating readiness to provide water and power if infrastructure conditions (like a new substation) are met
- Indiana offers generous incentives, including up to a 50-year tax exemption for large-scale data center equipment and operations.
- Strategic Location
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- The project site benefits from proximity to Purdue University, technical talent pools, and major transport and logistics infrastructure.
Arguments Against Approval
- Community Resistance & Environmental Concerns
- Local opposition is mounting—residents like Tammy Danner have mobilized with “No Data Center” signs, and social media buzz indicates growing pushback.
- Concerns center on water usage, electricity demand, light and noise pollution, and loss of farmland and rural identity.
- Lack of a Confirmed End‑User
- Officials have criticized the zoning proposal for lacking an identified end-user. Rezoning without a committed developer undermines transparency and community trust.
- Previous Developer Backpedaling
- Logistix previously rescinded its city rezoning request after strong local opposition, opting instead to pursue county-level review—a move many see as sidestepping direct accountability.
- Cautious Political Stance
- County commissioners have maintained a neutral position, signaling they are awaiting more data before deciding.
Bottom Line – Likely Outcome?
Approval is not assured. While county leaders may be intrigued by the project’s economic appeal, local pushback and environmental concerns pose significant hurdles. The combination of:
- Strong grassroots resistance (yard signs, social media),
- No confirmed corporate user yet,
- Environmental and infrastructure uncertainties,
- Previous developer retreat from city-level attempt,
suggests that Clinton County officials may proceed cautiously, potentially approving only if Logistix addresses water usage, utility infrastructure, commitment clarity, and environmental mitigation.