Proposed
Jefferson Proving Ground data center (north of Madison)
Also called: JPG Data Center
Plans filed with Jefferson County show a 7.1 million square foot data center with nine buildings on about 549 acres of the old Jefferson Proving Ground. The developer has not been named. Residents worry about the wildlife refuge next door, water and power bills.
Where things stand: County officials allowed industrial use and created a tax-break area in 2026. No developer has been named.
🕒 Latest update (April 2026): The county council created an Economic Revitalization Area (a tax-break zone) for the site.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFormer Jefferson Proving Ground Army base, about 8 miles north of Madison, next to Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County
- 🏢 Companynot named
- 🌳 Size549 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromCounty officials said the landowner is talking with Duke Energy.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Who is the developer and end user? 🙋 I'll find out
- How many megawatts and how much water would it use? 🙋 I'll find out
- Was a secret deal (NDA) signed with any county official? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will an environmental study be done near Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- 2026Jefferson County commissioners approved industrial use for the site.
- April 2026The county council created an Economic Revitalization Area (a tax-break zone) for the site.
🛰️ See it from above
An aerial photo of the area.
Photos: USGS The National Map.
Where this comes from
- Data center proceeds in Jefferson County; residents and government at odds · Indiana Public Media · June 26, 2026
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