INDIANAPOLIS — A decision on proposed tax breaks for an Indianapolis data center has been postponed.
California-based developer Metrobloks received approval in April to build a $500 million data center near 25th Street and Sherman Drive. The company is seeking tax breaks that could save an estimated $52.6 million.
Opponents are questioning whether the financial benefits outweigh the neighborhood impact for the project in Martindale-Brightwood.
The Metropolitan Development Commission was expected to revisit the proposed tax incentives at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 in downtown Indianapolis.
The decision may be delayed, but the opposition is not going away.
Some Martindale-Brightwood residents are questioning who is speaking on behalf of their neighborhood as the city considers tax incentives for the project.
Matt Davis, a member of the Black Church Coalition, said residents want more time for genuine community input and organizing before any additional decisions are finalized.
“No one in Brightwood, and no one across the city wants this development project, and above everything, we definitely don’t want to use our tax money to build it,” Davis said.
A future tenant could also qualify for nearly $129 million in additional tax savings. The Black Church Coalition says residents have not had enough input in negotiations over community benefits.
Proposed incentives include more jobs, improvements to parks, home repairs, funding for affordable housing, and community grants.
The office of Democrat Mayor Joe Hogsett previously expressed support for the incentives, stating they could generate long-term tax revenue and provide more benefits and protections for surrounding neighborhoods.
Indy Economic Development, which helped negotiate the proposed incentives, said in a statement that it respects the decision to postpone Wednesday’s vote.
“We respect the Metropolitan Development Commission’s decision to continue the Metrobloks proposal to next month. Many projects – especially one of this scope, complexity, and investment level, deserve careful and thoughtful analysis and preparation. Indy Economic Development remains committed to sharing information and making it readily accessible regarding the economic and tax impacts of this project before a ruling by the MDC. We look forward to continuing conversations with stakeholders.”
