Existing customer rates are not expected to be negatively impacted per AES's plan and IURC-reviewed process. Our efficient closed-loop cooling system is designed to minimize water usage. Daily traffic and noise are far below typical industrial uses by design.
The property is already zoned for heavy distribution uses. Sabey’s proposal replaces that with a quiet, low-traffic data campus designed to limit neighborhood impacts and strengthen long-term value.
Power rates are set publicly by the IURC. This project is not related to any rate increases and does not change how household rates are determined.
AES Will-Serve letterClosed-loop system reuses the same water; annual use is similar to a small office.
Hundreds of union trades jobs during construction; 100 permanent, skilled roles.
Economic impact| Category | Approved Distribution Plan | Sabey Data Center Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Building Area | 1,200,000+ sq ft (6 buildings + retail) | ~900,000 sq ft (2 buildings) |
| Daily Vehicle Trips | 5,000+ with shift-change peaks | ~80% fewer peak-hour trips |
| Employees | Several thousand commuting daily | ~100 on-site; higher wages & benefits |
| Noise | Truck loading & diesel activity | Quiet operations; enclosed equipment |
| Water Use | Higher (people & landscaping) | Closed-loop cooling; office-scale annual use |
| Neighborhood Buffers | Typical setbacks; visible loading areas | 200-ft landscaped buffers; shielded lighting |
The approved distribution plan brings heavy truck traffic and noise. The Sabey proposal replaces it with a quiet, high-tech campus that supports tax revenues and skilled careers—without straining roads, water, or neighborhood character.
Watch a visual walkthrough of the proposed Decatur Technology Park campus design. This rendering shows the planned layout, landscaping, and architectural features.
Note: Final design subject to local approvals and may be modified based on community input.
It's natural to have questions about a project of this scale. Here are the three questions we hear most often, answered directly with links to official documentation.
"Will my power bill go up because of this?"
Existing customer rates are not expected to be negatively impacted per AES's plan and IURC-reviewed process. Sabey pays 100% of customer-specific and dedicated facilities and applicable riders. New load adds utility revenue that helps spread fixed costs across all customers, which can actually help stabilize rates.
Read the AES Will Serve Letter (PDF)"Will data centers use massive amounts of water from our community?"
No. Our closed-loop cooling system is designed for exceptional water efficiency. The system requires a one-time initial load of 1,000,000 gallons (500,000 per building, phased with Building A in 2028 and Building B in 2030). After that, annual water usage is comparable to a typical office building—approximately 200,000 to 300,000 gallons per year total for both buildings. This covers restrooms, kitchen facilities, landscaping, and humidity control. The previously approved Decatur Tech Park would have required significantly more water.
"Will noise and traffic disrupt our neighborhood?"
No. Operations are designed to be quiet and low-traffic. Independent analysis shows approximately 80% fewer peak-hour vehicle trips than a previously approved industrial plan. Generators run briefly for testing and during rare utility outages, typically about 20 hours per year total. Equipment is enclosed and acoustically treated; exterior lighting is shielded.
Read the Independent Traffic Study (PDF)Independent traffic study shows approximately 80% reduction in peak-hour vehicle trips compared to the previously approved industrial plan for this site.
Source: American Structurepoint Traffic Study, November 2025
Don't just take our word for it. AES Indiana, your utility provider, has confirmed that existing customer rates are not expected to be negatively impacted per AES's plan and IURC-reviewed process.
Brandi Davis-Handy, AES Indiana President • September 19, 2025
"We've developed a strategy that shows no negative impact to existing customer rates should AES Indiana power data centers in the future. This is possible because, even though more investments are required to serve those customers, we will be able to spread our costs over a larger amount of electricity sold."
AES Indiana has publicly confirmed that existing customer rates are not expected to be negatively impacted per AES's plan and IURC-reviewed process. In fact, by spreading fixed infrastructure costs over a larger customer base, data centers can help stabilize rates for all customers.
AES Indiana is required to follow a public review process through the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for any investments to serve data centers, ensuring full transparency and oversight. Rate cases and major capital programs are public and decided by the IURC.
This no-impact strategy was validated in AES Indiana's Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) public stakeholder meetings, with independent analysis confirming the findings.
Data centers pay 100% of customer-specific infrastructure, dedicated facilities, and all applicable riders and contributions required for their service.
By spreading fixed infrastructure costs over more electricity sold, data centers actually help reduce the per-unit cost burden on all customers.
Infrastructure costs like power lines, substations, and grid maintenance are fixed. When more customers share these costs, the burden on each customer decreases.
Data centers consume large amounts of electricity and pay for it. This increases total revenue without adding to residential infrastructure costs.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) provides public oversight of all rate decisions, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Illustrative example based on the cost-spreading principle described in AES Indiana's official statement
Fixed Infrastructure Cost: $100 million
Total Electricity Sold: 1,000 units
Cost Per Unit: $100,000
Residential customers share $100M across 1,000 units
Fixed Infrastructure Cost: $100 million (same)
Total Electricity Sold: 1,500 units
Cost Per Unit: $66,667
Same $100M shared across MORE units = lower cost per unit
Result: 33% Lower Cost Per Unit
This simplified example shows how spreading fixed costs over more electricity sold reduces the per-unit burden on all customers.
Building A (closest to residential homes): One-story data center of approximately 572,500 SF footprint with a height of 30 feet. Building B (closest to Kentucky Avenue): Two-story data center of approximately 490,000 SF footprint with a height of 50 feet. A 10-acre electrical substation site, campus security entry on SR-67, and designated emergency/construction access points.
200-foot buffer zones at residential property lines with extensive landscaping and mature tree preservation. Multiple retention ponds for engineered stormwater management protecting local waterways.
Sabey Data Centers has committed over $5 million toward improving and repaving roads in the Decatur Township area surrounding the project site. These investments are part of a broader Community Inclusivity and Infrastructure Plan, developed in coordination with local leaders and the Indiana Economic Development Initiative (IEDI), to ensure that neighborhood improvements directly benefit nearby residents and businesses. Additionally, sidewalk and trail connections along SR-67 and Camby Road frontages, with coordinated intersection improvements including right-in/right-out and full-access configurations for safe traffic flow.
Permitting and site preparation beginning 2026, with phased construction over 2-3 years. AES Indiana anticipates initial utility infrastructure upgrades by Q4 2027, with operational capacity ramping to 250 MW over a 5-year period.
Data centers are proven economic drivers, creating high-paying jobs, generating substantial tax revenue, and supporting local businesses. These facilities have minimal impact on roads, schools, and community services.
These additional jobs span construction, telecommunications, software development, facilities management, security, HVAC maintenance, and local services like restaurants, retail, and professional services that support data center operations and employees.
Buildings, land, and site improvements generate ongoing property tax revenue that flows directly to local schools, libraries, fire departments, parks, and other essential public services.
Computer servers, networking equipment, cooling systems, and backup power infrastructure generate substantial personal property tax revenue. In comparable markets, this revenue has increased by 170% following data center development. (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond)
Construction materials, ongoing equipment purchases, maintenance supplies, and operational expenditures generate significant sales tax revenue for state and local government budgets.
High-paying jobs create income tax revenue while employees spend money locally at restaurants, retail stores, service businesses, and other establishments, creating a multiplier effect throughout the community.
Strong Tax Revenue Potential for Decatur Township:
Research on data centers nationally shows substantial tax revenue generation potential. According to U.S. Chamber of Commerce analysis, large-scale data centers can generate significant property tax, personal property tax, and sales tax revenues. These revenues provide stable, long-term funding for schools, emergency services, roads, and public infrastructure without increasing residential property taxes.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Research on Data Center Economic ImpactLeading research institutions, business organizations, and financial analysts have extensively documented the substantial economic benefits data centers bring to communities. These are independent, third-party studies, not commissioned by data center operators.
Increased property and equipment tax revenue flows directly to school district funding. This enables improved facilities, expanded programs, updated technology, competitive teacher salaries, and reduced class sizes without raising residential property taxes.
Tax revenue and direct project contributions fund road improvements, utility system upgrades, stormwater management, and other public infrastructure improvements that benefit all residents and businesses in Decatur Township.
Partnerships with Decatur Township schools, community colleges, and trade programs create workforce training initiatives. These initiatives open doors to high-paying technology careers, with many positions requiring technical certifications rather than four-year degrees.
Construction workers and data center employees spend locally at restaurants, shops, gas stations, and service businesses. The "halo effect" attracts complementary technology companies and professional services, creating a more diverse and resilient local economy.
For over 25 years, Sabey Data Centers has designed, built, and operated highly efficient data center facilities across the United States. With six active campuses and more than 3.5 million square feet of operational space delivered, Sabey has established a reputation for reliability, environmental stewardship, and genuine long-term community partnerships.
Every Sabey project begins the same way: with transparency, meaningful collaboration with local leaders and residents, and a design philosophy that prioritizes minimizing neighborhood impacts while maximizing local economic opportunity.
Watch how Sabey builds and operates world-class data center facilities with a focus on community partnership and environmental responsibility.
Sabey's Intergate campus facilities have operated successfully for over 20 years, becoming integral parts of their communities. The campuses provide consistent high-quality employment, substantial tax contributions, and workforce development partnerships while maintaining minimal neighborhood impacts.
Source: Sabey Data CentersData center development has fundamentally transformed Loudoun County's economy. Computer equipment tax revenue surged 170% in just two years while creating thousands of high-paying technology jobs. This growth attracted complementary businesses that further strengthened the local economy.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of RichmondData center development across Ohio has generated thousands of construction and permanent operations jobs. These facilities have contributed billions of dollars to the state's GDP and funded comprehensive workforce development programs. These programs create clear pathways from local schools to technology careers.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce ResearchAn in-depth look at how data center investment transformed small-town America — boosting local tax bases, housing demand, and construction jobs, while reshaping rural economies.
Source: The Wall Street JournalThink of it as essential infrastructure, like a power plant or water treatment facility, that keeps hospitals, schools, local businesses, government agencies, and everyday cloud services operating reliably. There are no retail storefronts, no stadium-level crowds, no constant truck traffic. Just secure, climate-controlled spaces with computer equipment, advanced cooling systems, and clean power delivery.
Rows of servers and networking equipment processing the cloud computing workloads that modern life depends on. This includes business applications, healthcare systems, and online education.
State-of-the-art closed-loop cooling systems designed to minimize water usage. After a one-time initial system load, annual water usage is comparable to a typical office building—far more efficient than traditional industrial facilities.
Generators that ensure uninterrupted operations during utility outages. These are regulated and run briefly for mandatory testing and during rare power disruptions, averaging approximately 20 hours per year total across all units.
24/7/365 professional security and sophisticated monitoring systems ensuring continuous, reliable operations with minimal staffing requirements and vehicle traffic.
Conceptual renderings of the Sabey Data Centers Indiana Campus buildings. Final design subject to local approvals.
Our plan for Decatur Technology Park emphasizes minimizing environmental and neighborhood impacts:
Closed-loop cooling designed to minimize water usage. After a one-time initial system load, annual water usage is comparable to a typical office building, protecting community water resources.
All exterior lighting professionally designed and shielded to minimize light pollution, eliminate glare affecting neighbors, and comply with dark-sky principles.
Extensive 200-foot green buffers at residential property lines with mature tree preservation, native plantings, and visual screening providing natural aesthetics and habitat.
Multiple engineered retention ponds and drainage systems protecting local waterways, reducing runoff compared to typical industrial development, and maintaining water quality.
Indiana's stable business climate, strong utility infrastructure, skilled workforce, and pro-growth policies make it an ideal location for technology infrastructure investment. Decatur Township specifically offers excellent logistics access, supportive community leadership, and the land area needed to create a thoughtfully designed, well-buffered campus that respects its surroundings.
Central United States positioning provides optimal network connectivity and low latency to major population centers. Excellent highway and logistics infrastructure enables efficient construction and operations.
Indiana's strong technical education programs, experienced construction trades, and growing technology sector provide the skilled workforce necessary for data center development, construction, and long-term operations.
Competitive tax structure, supportive regulatory framework, and streamlined permitting processes enable substantial long-term investment and sustainable economic growth benefiting local communities.
Dependable power supply and strong utility partnerships ensure 24/7/365 operations. Data centers also accelerate the transition to cleaner energy by becoming major purchasers of renewable power.
Indiana's strategic central location and extensive fiber network infrastructure position Decatur Technology Park at the intersection of major data routes, ensuring exceptional connectivity and low latency to major markets nationwide.
Sabey Data Centers is committed to being a responsible, transparent, and genuinely engaged community partner. This commitment extends not just during the construction phase, but throughout the entire life of this facility and beyond.
Regular public meetings, transparent project updates, and responsive two-way communication ensuring neighbors and local stakeholders have meaningful input into how we design, build, and operate this facility.
Direct financial contributions to road improvements throughout Decatur Township. Commitment to hiring local trades, contractors, and vendors wherever possible during both construction and ongoing operations, keeping economic benefits in the community.
Partnerships with Decatur Township schools, community colleges, and vocational programs creating clear pathways into high-skill, high-wage technology careers. This includes internships, apprenticeships, and training programs, many not requiring four-year college degrees.
All key project documents publicly available for review. Dedicated community liaison committed to responding to every inquiry within five business days. Ongoing progress updates and accessibility to project leadership.
We were excited to welcome Quincy High School's Construction 2 students for a tour of our active data center project. The group got a firsthand look at how Sabey builds the critical infrastructure powering today's digital world. It was a great opportunity to share insights into data center construction and inspire the next generation of builders.
Sabey Data Centers has a longstanding commitment to the use of union labor, resulting in high quality projects that are built well and operate safely. This also means good paying union construction jobs for Decatur Township and Indiana workers.
Sabey Data Centers is jointly owned by Sabey Corporation and institutional clients managed by National Real Estate Advisors (National). Those clients include, among other sophisticated institutional investors, client accounts that are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. As a result, the success and continued growth of Sabey Data Centers has the potential to benefit IBEW related pension funds and, in turn, retired union members.
We rely on our union labor that we have, the electricians that do the work. This is a very complex design, and as you can see it is a symphony of steel conduits. It is a very complex arrangement.
— John Ford, VP, Sabey Data Centers
Source: ElectricTV / NECA IBEWThe relationship that we have with the union electrical shops dates back a very long time. The goal is that if you have someone who is experienced and knows what they are doing, you should be able to do that task slightly faster, which saves time and money. There are many man hours and much complexity, and it is a beautiful job when you take a step back and look at it.
— John Sabey, President, Sabey Data Centers
Source: ElectricTV / NECA IBEWHundreds of construction jobs for Indiana IBEW electricians, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, and skilled tradespeople. Union wages provide family sustaining income with strong benefits.
Union electricians complete rigorous apprenticeship training through IBEW programs. Safety, craftsmanship, and technical excellence meet the demands of mission critical data center infrastructure.
As these workers earn and spend locally, those dollars circulate within the community. This type of local economic activity can help support jobs, contribute to the tax base, and strengthen the broader local economy.
Family sustaining wages, excellent benefits, retirement security, and career growth through skilled training.
High quality craftsmanship, minimal rework, reliable delivery, and performance that supports mission critical operations.
Good local jobs, a stronger local economy, professional construction standards, and pathways into skilled trades.
Sabey's commitment to union labor creates direct pathways for local residents to access high-paying union careers through IBEW apprenticeship programs. These "earn while you learn" programs provide paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction—launching careers without requiring four-year college degrees or massive student debt.
We don't ask you to simply take our word for it. All key project documents, technical studies, and official correspondence are available here for your review. These documents provide detailed information about every aspect of the project.
The updated site plan features Building A (one-story, ~572,500 SF, 30 feet high, closest to homes) and Building B (two-story, ~490,000 SF, 50 feet high, closest to Kentucky Avenue), along with a 10-acre substation, buffers, green spaces, lighting design, access points, and landscaping. Updates include a clearly defined 200-foot transitional yard, a wood fence on the berm for added privacy, and enhanced visibility of homes across from Camby. These refinements reflect community input and ensure a balanced, well-integrated design.
Official utility commitment letter detailing phased power delivery up to 250 MW over 5 years, cost responsibility structure, and confirmation that residential customer bills will not increase because of this project. Initial upgrades anticipated by Q4 2027.
Official water utility letter confirming service availability and water usage for the efficient closed-loop cooling system design.
Third-party traffic analysis by American Structurepoint for Sabey Data Centers demonstrating approximately 80% fewer peak-hour vehicle trips (AM: 558→111, PM: 554→106) compared to the previously approved industrial development plan for this site.
Detailed answers addressing zoning, utilities, environmental considerations, visual design, construction timeline, operational characteristics, generator use (~20 hours/year typical), energy efficiency targets, and community benefits.
Land use classifications, zoning requirements, and planning approach explained in plain language. Includes specifics on traffic routing (no facility traffic allowed off Camby Road) and rate impact explanation.
Technical documentation explaining how closed-loop cooling systems work for water efficiency with minimal consumption during normal operations.
These questions come directly from Decatur Township residents, neighbors, and local partners. If you don't see your question answered here, please email us and we'll add it.
Questions, ideas, concerns, or suggestions—we genuinely want to hear them all. This project will be part of Decatur Township for decades to come, and we're committed to getting it right together with the community.
