A public hearing on tax breaks for a data center in Martindale Brightwood has been pushed back two weeks.
In April, the Metropolitan Development Commission approved a data center project from Metrobloks, a Los Angeles-based developer. The MDC was set to hear and vote on a proposed $56-million incentive package for the project at the commission’s Aug. 5 meeting. But Kathy Frazier-Battle, a city official with the Department of Metropolitan Development, asked the commission for a two-week delay so the city can finalize an outline for Metrobloks’ community commitments in the incentive agreement.
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s office released a statement July 31 indicating the mayor supports giving tax abatements to three approved data center projects. The statement also said city officials would be asking to delay the hearing for the Metrobloks development incentives.
In addition to the $56 million in tax breaks Metrobloks would receive on real estate property taxes and equipment, future tenants on the data center campus could save up to $339 million on the purchase of new equipment.
Metrobloks has previously committed to at least $2.5 million for affordable housing and infrastructure projects in Martindale Brightwood. Metrobloks said that amount could be as high as $20 million, depending on the tax incentives the company receives. However, Martindale Brightwood residents have said those amounts are not enough to benefit the community.
The proposed incentives package is now set to be heard at 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at the City-County Building.
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Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.
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