The Daily Dig
Sabey Data Centers has laid out the terms of its proposed data center campus in Decatur Township. The pitch comes with a $4.25 billion taxable capital investment attached.
The project calls for two data center buildings totaling roughly one million square feet. They'd sit on a 130-acre site at 6400 Kentucky Avenue.
Construction Cadence: Late Start, Long Runway
Ground isn't breaking anytime soon. Construction is expected to start in the second quarter of 2027, with phased occupancy stretching from the fourth quarter of 2029 through 2035.
Sabey says it will cover 100% of allocated costs for a new electrical substation and transmission infrastructure. That means no additional costs for local ratepayers.
The design also includes closed-loop cooling that recirculates rather than consumes water, enforceable noise limits at the property line, full-cutoff exterior lighting, and backup generators limited to outages and brief scheduled tests.
On the labor side, Sabey has signed an agreement with local unions to staff the build, and plans to use union labor for both construction and ongoing maintenance.
Show Me the Money: Roads and a Pool
The community-facing commitments are specific. There's $5 million for updated roads in Decatur Township, and $25 million for a new aquatic center.
At full employment, the campus is projected to support 75 full-time permanent positions. Average annual wages would run at least $104,000, or 125% of Marion County's average wage, whichever is higher when the jobs are actually created.
The tax picture is substantial too. Decatur Township public schools are projected to see $21.9 million during the abatement period and $221 million over 30 years. The Marion County Library is in line for $2.2 million during abatement and $22 million over three decades.
“Our plan pairs secure, reliable digital infrastructure with high-wage employment, local union construction and meaningful investments in roads and recreation that can benefit Decatur Township for years to come,” said Tim Mirick, President of Sabey Data Centers.
Snapshot:
Operator: Sabey Data Centers, a joint venture between Sabey Corporation and National Real Estate Advisors, LLC
Investment Manager: National Real Estate Advisors, LLC, acting on behalf of institutional clients
Location: 6400 Kentucky Avenue, Decatur Township, Indianapolis, IN
Site Size: Approximately 130 acres
Building Size: Approximately 1 million sq. ft. (two buildings)
Sector: Data center
Total Taxable Capital Investment: $4.25 billion
Real Property Improvements: $2.1 billion
Personal Property/Infrastructure: $401.8 million
Tenant IT Equipment: $1.75 billion
Construction Start: Q2 2027
Occupancy: Phased, Q4 2029 through 2035
Labor Strategy: Local union labor, agreement executed with local unions
Utility Cost Approach: Sabey to fund 100% of allocated substation and transmission costs
Environmental/Design Commitments: Closed-loop cooling, enforceable property-line noise limits, full-cutoff exterior lighting, generator use limited to outages and scheduled testing
Permanent Jobs: 75 full-time positions at full employment
Average Annual Wage: At least $104,000, or 125% of Marion County's average annual wage, whichever is higher
Community Investment: $5 million for roads, $25 million for a new aquatic center, both in Decatur Township
Projected School Tax Contribution: $21.9 million (abatement period), $221 million (30 years)
Projected Library Tax Contribution: $2.2 million (abatement period), $22 million (30 years)
Projected Tax Ranking: 9th-highest taxpayer in Marion County during abatement, 2nd-highest after abatement ends
TheJobWalk Thoughts
A 2027 start with occupancy running into 2035 suggests bid packages will open in waves rather than all at once, though Sabey hasn't detailed a procurement schedule. Trades planning around a single mobilization date should plan for a longer runway instead.
The union agreement is worth flagging for anyone doing business development in Indianapolis. Committing to local union labor for both construction and maintenance signals a long-term relationship with the trades, not just a one-time crew.
The $25 million aquatic center and $5 million in road funding are real commitments tied to a real proposal. If this package clears approval as outlined, it becomes a benchmark other data center developers in the region may get measured against.
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