By Abdul-Hakim Shabazz
Indianapolis is gearing up for a public hearing Monday night over a proposed Google data center in Franklin Township. Cue the hand-wringing: hundreds of jobs, millions in tax incentives, and promises of economic growth—mixed with dire warnings about traffic, water, and whether your cat will notice the difference.
I’ve spent the past few weeks digging into this issue, talking to experts, and comparing Indianapolis to other communities like Morgan County, where a data center is already under construction. And here’s my takeaway: data centers don’t bother me. Not one bit.
Think about it. We love our phones, streaming, texting, Instagram, TikTok, and whatever else keeps us glued to our screens. None of that magic happens without servers humming somewhere in the background. Suddenly, when a big data center wants to park itself in your neighborhood, people act like it’s the apocalypse. As I like to say: everyone wants to go to heaven, but none of them want to die. That’s exactly what’s happening here—everyone wants the benefits, but nobody wants to deal with the reality of the infrastructure that makes it possible.
Yes, data centers are huge. Yes, they use water and energy. Yes, local infrastructure will feel a little pressure. But these are manageable problems, especially when you do it right. Look at Morgan County: they’re working with property owners, talking to residents, and balancing economic growth with the community’s character. Jobs pay above the local median, property taxes flow back into the community, and no one is pretending this is just magic.
Indianapolis has to do the same thing. Franklin Township residents deserve transparency on jobs, environmental safeguards, and utility impacts. Monday’s public hearing is the place to get answers, demand accountability, and make sure the city isn’t writing a blank check for a Google logo.
But here’s the reality nobody wants to admit: a data center is just the backbone of the digital world you already love. It’s the stuff powering your Netflix binge, your work email, and your group text complaining about the Colts. You can freak out about it, or you can accept that it’s coming and make sure it’s done responsibly.
Indianapolis should do the responsible thing, ask the hard questions, and then stop panicking. Everyone wants the convenience, speed, and innovation data centers provide—but when it shows up in your backyard, suddenly it’s a horror show. Chill. Ask the questions. Make sure the deal works for the city. And then get on with it. After all, you can’t enjoy heaven without taking a few hits on the way there.
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is the editor and publisher of Indy Politics. He is also a licensed attorney in Indiana and Illinois.
