The Daily Dig
Digital Realty has proposed a data center campus at Industrial Park North in Kokomo, Indiana. At full size, the campus would add about 1 GW of IT capacity.
The plan calls for three single-story data centers on 476 acres of greenfield land near US 31 and County Road 400 North. Together they would hold about 3 million square feet of data center space, with full buildout possible by 2033.
A First for the City of Firsts
Kokomo is the seat of Howard County, about 50 miles north of Indianapolis. Digital Realty doesn’t currently operate any data centers in Indiana, so this would be their first in the state.
Help Wanted, Hard Hats Required
Digital Realty expects the project to drive demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, equipment operators, and laborers, along with other skilled trades. They also expect to work with local workforce and education partners on pathways into construction, technical, and long-term facility roles.
Beyond the trades, Digital Realty also sees opportunities for regional contractors, vendors, service providers, and small businesses through both construction and operations.
On infrastructure, Digital Realty says they will pay for the upgrades the project needs. They plan to coordinate with local officials and utility partners, and they expect the buildout to strengthen the local grid.
Site plans include perimeter buffers, landscaped berms, screening, and noise reduction features. The city has said the campus will use closed-loop cooling to cut water use.
Snapshot:
Project: Kokomo data center campus (proposed)
Developer: Digital Realty
Location: Industrial Park North, near US 31 and County Road 400 North, Kokomo, Indiana
Region: Howard County, about 50 miles north of Indianapolis
Sector: Data centers
Site: 476 acres, greenfield
Scope: Three single-story data centers
Size: About 3 million sq. ft. of data center space
Capacity: About 1 GW of additional IT capacity
Status: Proposed
Full Buildout: Possibly by 2033
General Contractor: Not announced
Project Value: Not disclosed
Trades Needed: Electricians, HVAC technicians, equipment operators, laborers, other skilled trades
Workforce Strategy: Expected partnerships with local workforce and education groups
Operational Roles: Technical, facilities, security, maintenance, infrastructure management
Infrastructure: Digital Realty to pay for project-related upgrades
Cooling (Digital Realty): Water-conserving
Cooling (City): Closed-loop
Site Design: Perimeter buffers, landscaped berms, screening, noise reduction, responsible lighting
Tax Impact: Possibly tens of millions of dollars in property tax revenue once fully operational
Tax Abatements: None, according to the city
Community Benefits: To be formalized in an Economic Development Agreement with the City of Kokomo
Market Note: This would be Digital Realty’s first data center in Indiana
TheJobWalk Thoughts
No general contractor has been named, and the campus is still only a proposal. On projects this size, owners often bring on a delivery partner and award early electrical and mechanical packages well before vertical work starts. Regional MEP subs would be smart to get prequalified and in front of likely builders now.
Three buildings with buildout running to 2033 suggests work could come in stages rather than one bid. Strong early performance can put a sub in a better spot for later packages. Power is the other variable, since utility upgrades and electrical equipment lead times can both shape the schedule.
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