CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (January 7, 2026) — Local planning officials on Tuesday moved forward with a massive rezoning request that could pave the way for a multi-billion dollar data center campus, despite concerns from residents about the potential impact on the county’s rural character and natural resources.
The Clinton County Area Plan Commission (APC) voted to send a favorable recommendation to the County Commissioners to rezone approximately 714.55 acres of land in Washington and Union Townships from agricultural to light industrial. The project, spearheaded by Logix Realty LLC with DataOne as the intended user, is envisioned as a three-part “campus” featuring a high-tech data center, a pre-cast concrete manufacturing plant, and a symbiotic hydroponic “gigafarm”.
Proponents of the development estimate the initial investment at $10 billion to $12 billion, with the potential to reach $50 billion over time. Supporters who spoke during the marathon public hearing argued the project would provide a transformative tax base to fund local schools and first responders.
However, the proposal faced stiff opposition from neighbors worried about the scale of the expansion. Residents raised concerns regarding aquifer depletion, noise pollution, and the loss of farmland.
To address these quality-of-life issues, the developer conceptually agreed to 14 legally binding commitments. These include a 65-decibel sound limit at the property line, a requirement for closed-loop recirculating water systems to prevent groundwater waste, and a decommissioning plan backed by financial security to ensure abandoned buildings are removed at the developer’s expense.
“Staff would strongly caution against any favorable recommendation without a full set of clear commitments,” said Liz Stitzel, the APC’s executive director, noting that the safeguards were essential given the “unprecedented” size of the site.
The site is located north of Frankfort’s city limits, adjacent to an existing railroad and industrial park. While approximately 0.5% of the county’s total farmland would be converted to industrial use, officials noted the location is consistent with long-term land-use plans that discourage residential growth near the nearby county landfill.
“Sooner or later, it is likely some sort of industrial or commercial development is the best use for this land,” the staff report noted, citing the area’s proximity to land already zoned for infrastructure.
The final decision now rests with the Clinton County Commissioners who have 90-days to vote on the favorable recommendation. The next scheduled meeting of the Commissioners is set for January 20 at the Clinton County Annex.
