Update on Indy – September 7, 2025: Google's Data Center Plan vs. Indy Families: What You Need to Know
- Michael-Paul Hart
- Sep 7
- 4 min read
By Councilor Michael-Paul Hart
Working to Make Indianapolis the Smartest City in America
Google Data Center Indianapolis Debate
On Wednesday, the Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. (IEDI) convened a meeting between Republican councilors, AES, and Google regarding the proposed Franklin Township data center. It is to my understanding that the same occurred for the Democrat Councilors.
Google Data Center Indianapolis brought a large team, community investment, zoning, engineering, and more. They presented renderings of the proposed facility, highlighted temporary construction jobs, and shared examples from other states. What they avoided were the issues that matter most to Indianapolis families: long-term economic impact, tax revenue, real job creation, environmental impact, and quality of life for the surrounding community.
The most significant new detail? Confirmation that this development would consume 1 million gallons of water per day, supplied by Citizens Energy. AES also stated their rate increase request is unrelated to this project, though residents already know utility bills are too high.
Right now, opposition is growing. Only one councilor, Ron Gibson, publicly supports the project. Sixteen councilors, including every Republican, stand with the community in opposition. If your representative is on that list below, please call them and tell them the community is not supportive.
Councilors without a public position or opposed:
District | Name | Support Call Down (Sept 8th Vote) | Support Overturn (Sept 22nd) | Phone | |
11 | Crista Carlino | ✅ | ? | 317-374-6266 | |
2 | Brienne Delaney | ✅ | ? | 317-327-4242 | |
3 | Dan Boots | ✅ | ? | 317-327-4242 | |
12 | Vop Osili | ? | ? | 317-327-4242 | |
5 | Maggie A. Lewis | ? | ? | 317-327-4242 | |
1 | Leroy Robinson | ? | ? | 317-502-0272 | |
6 | Carlos Perkins | ? | ? | 317-797-5170 | |
8 | Ron Gibson | ❌ | ❌ | 317-562-1556 | |
9 | Keith L. Graves | ? | ? | 317-560-4554 |
Show Up & Be Heard
September 8 – I will formally call down the proposal for a full hearing. Your presence matters, please show up to City-County Building and make your concern heard.
September 22 – Final council vote. We will need 15 votes to overturn the Metropolitan Development Commission’s approval. This is when your presence REALLY matters!
📢 We need to fill the chambers on both nights. Your presence sends the strongest message: Indianapolis is not for sale to projects that don’t serve our people.
📍Where: Indianapolis City-County Council Building – Public Assembly Room
🏛Address: 200 E Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 (2nd Floor)
⏰When: Arrive by 6:30 PM | Meeting starts at 7:00 PM
Fighting Back Against Higher Utility Bills
On Monday, I will introduce a general resolution urging AES to withdraw its rate hike petition at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. If they refuse, this resolution calls on the IURC to reject the increase outright.
This isn’t ceremonial; it’s a formal statement by your City-County Council, telling AES that Indianapolis residents have had enough.
The proposal is expected in the Committee for Public Hearing on September 30th.
Indiana Residential Electricity: The Hidden Bill Hike
Then vs Now: In 2001, Hoosiers paid about 6.0¢/kWh. By June 2025, that number hit 16.6¢/kWh.
Household Impact: That’s a jump from $60/month to $166/month for the exact same 1,000 kWh of power.
20-Year Change: Prices have nearly tripled, a +176% increase in two decades.
Above Inflation: While general prices (CPI) roughly doubled since 2000, electricity costs have climbed even faster.
Pocketbook Pain: That means Hoosiers are shelling out over $1,200 more per year than two decades ago just to keep the lights on.
Public Safety & Community Voices
This week’s Public Safety Committee included votes on curfew enforcement and residency requirements for city employees. But one moment stands out:
James Taylor, a respected community leader with decades of experience connecting truancy
and juvenile crime, asked to present his expertise directly to the council. Unfortunately, the chairman denied his request. I even made a formal motion to place him on the October 22 agenda, and the committee voted it down.
Let me be clear: my agenda is making Indianapolis the Smartest City in America. And you can’t do that without listening to the people who know what’s happening in our schools and streets.
That’s why I’m working with SmartIndy to host James Taylor. Our objective is for him to share his insights, and I’ll ensure every councilor has the opportunity to see it, even if some try to avoid hearing the truth in public.
More details will follow soon.
My Commitment to Indy
I am focused on delivering practical solutions for Indianapolis, protecting neighborhoods, standing up against developments that don’t serve our community, and pushing back when utility companies try to raise rates on working families. These aren’t abstract ideas; they’re actions I’ve taken and will continue to take.
Others on the council are following my lead, but what matters most is demonstrating the capabilities of the right person in the job. Every step forward brings us closer to making Indianapolis the Smartest City in America.
Thank you for reading and for supporting common‑sense leadership. Together, and with the community driving accountability, we are turning bold ideas into real‑world results.
Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
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