Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled plans to construct a sprawling data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, a small town located in Jasper County and home to approximately 900 residents as per the 2020 census. The proposed development, which aims to bring transformative changes to the local community, was discussed during a recent open house event held at Kankakee Valley High School.
AWS is eyeing a 304-acre plot of land, currently owned by the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), as the site for the new campus. The project could feature as many as nine buildings and represents an estimated investment of $7 billion. The land in question is presently leased for agricultural use, with the Schahfer Generating Station situated just half a mile away. AWS believes the proximity to the power plant could help minimize infrastructure and transmission costs.
Discussions between AWS and NIPSCO are ongoing, with AWS emphasizing its intentions for a strong partnership with the local community. "We want to go to places where people come in with eyes wide open and we can build a great partnership", said Roger Wehner, AWS president of economic development.
The economic boost for Jasper County could be significant. AWS estimates that the project would increase tax revenue in the area from $1.2 million to more than $420 million over the next 15 years. To further support the community, AWS has committed to paying $1.25 billion to offset the energy cost impact on local ratepayers.
In addition to its economic benefits, the data center is designed with sustainability in mind. AWS intends to utilize natural air cooling for 98 percent of the year, significantly reducing water consumption at the facility.
This project is part of AWS’s broader investment in Northern Indiana. The company already operates data centers in New Carlisle and is developing another in Hobart. These initiatives are part of a $15 billion investment commitment AWS announced in November 2025, which aims to add 2.4GW of data center capacity in the state.
Reflecting on the company’s readiness to work with the Wheatfield community, Wehner assured attendees at the open house that AWS is prepared to move forward quickly if granted approval. "We want to start growing with this community as soon as possible. As you can see, we’re already here. We’re already doing things. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay, we’ll still love it. We won’t feel bad about a single thing we’ve done", he said.
Indiana has become a key destination for data center developments. Companies like Meta, US Signal, DataBank, Netrality, and Digital Crossroads have already established a presence in the state, with plans for expansion. Other tech giants, including Microsoft and Google, have also announced significant projects in Indiana, further solidifying its position as a hub for cloud infrastructure.
As AWS awaits approval for its Wheatfield campus, the company’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in Indiana underscores the state’s growing appeal to major tech firms seeking to expand their data center operations.
