Two meetings this week regarding potential data center campus in Shelbyville

Prologis will host a community information meeting Wednesday to discuss a proposed data center campus in Shelbyville.

The open house meeting will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Shelbyville High School, 2003 S. Miller St.

Prologis has proposed a potential 11-building campus in Shelbyville located east of Interstate 74 along State Road 44. The project has received considerable negative feedback from residents in the community opposed to a data center.

The goal of the open house is to answer questions and provide more details of the project ahead of an April 6 Shelbyville Common Council meeting that will address an annexation and rezoning petition that is needed for Prologis to continue forward.

The usage of water and power associated with a data center is a main concern. Prologis has stated it is committed to funding 100% of any power system upgrade required for the site, along with 100% of all utility costs.

The data center would use a closed-loop, air-cooled system with water use comparable to that of 55 acres of irrigated agriculture land.

Residents have concerns with what effects they will see on utility bills and how groundwater and wells will be compromised.

There also is pushback on converting land zoned for agriculture and converting it to industrial use.

Two petitioners own the property Prologis is interested in purchasing. The rezoning will make it viable for purchase for this particular project.

The Shelbyville Common Council has to approve the annexation and rezoning.

Prologis is touting a $2 billion private real property investment which would strengthen the tax base and help the city fund roads, emergency services, and schools.

There is a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday at West Street United Methodist Church ahead of Wednesday’s information meeting with Prologis.

The Town Hall Meeting is 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Shelbyville church at 629. S. West Street. The meeting is to share ideas and discuss important issues related to the data center project.

Prologis has a website dedicated to providing information on the project. It can be found at ShelbyvilleProjectHackman.com

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