Amazon takes lead in Posey data center race

By Dennis Marshall

Amazon is now on the record as the company evaluating a data center in Posey County, something many residents have treated as an open secret since midsummer.

“We know residents have questions about future development plans in their community, and we plan to answer them directly as we learn more,” Amazon said in a statement. “Across the communities where we operate, we are committed to being a responsible neighbor, investing in local economic development, and supporting community programs that have a lasting impact.”

If the company proceeds, it said, any project would go through the county’s full public review process. “We will work directly with residents and local officials to understand local priorities, address concerns transparently, and ensure the best possible project to fit the community.”

No application is on file.

The statement came as the Area Plan Commission held a public hearing Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Posey County Community Event Center at the 4-H Fairgrounds in New Harmony on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance, including rules for data centers.

Mike Schopmeyer, an Evansville attorney with Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn representing Amazon Web Services, told the commission the company has left its first prospective location and is looking at an industrial site closer to highways. The site at the center of this summer’s opposition was agricultural land along Boberg and Hoenert roads near Wadesville. In August, all three county commissioners said they would vote against rezoning that ground for a data center. Schopmeyer said Amazon would not file a permit until the ordinance process is finished.

Schopmeyer called the draft amendments overly restrictive and said they need more work. He said community outreach, including a website, would likely begin in about 30 days, and that many concerns raised at the hearing were legitimate and would be addressed. After residents spoke against data centers, he described some of the opposition as “fear of change.” He said Amazon is “the gold standard” for data centers and that he was proud the company is looking at the region.

The hearing was not a vote on an Amazon project. The commission is still writing the rules that would apply if a company files. Under the draft, data centers would not be allowed by right. They would need special-exception and development-plan approval after the ordinance is adopted.

The public hearing was continued to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Hovey House, 330 Walnut St., Mount Vernon.