Proposed data center project could bring $600M investment to Merrillville
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Chicago-based developer Wylie Capital is looking to build a major data center campus in Merrillville that could ultimately represent a $600 million investment.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report plans for the 1.2 million-square-foot campus include six buildings and could create up to 200 jobs.
The campus would be built at the Merrillville Commerce Center, also being developed by Wylie, at 93rd Avenue and Georgia Street. Each of the buildings would be up to three stories high and could cost about $100 million to build.
Jason Simon with Wylie Capital told the Data Center Advisory Committee in Merrillville this week that the project is the result of increased demand for data centers, according to the publication.
“Four years ago, there wasn’t this demand for data centers in Northwest Indiana,” Simon said. “Data centers were only in four or five markets, like Chicago. But things have changed. We’re all on our cell phones all the time. Our whole world is on that little screen, wherever we are. There’s also been the rise of AI and other technological advances. The demand for data centers has increased nationally.”
The committee gave preliminary approval for the project. The Times reports plans call for construction on two of the data center buildings to start, with the rest being built based on demand.
You can read more on the project, including the potential impact on electric and water utilities, from The Times of Northwest Indiana by clicking here.