Washington Council Weighs Proposed Data Center Project

City leaders seek more details on power, water, and sewer needs before committing to support the large-scale facility.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:39pm

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The Washington City Council meeting focused on a proposal from Outrigger Industrial to build a major data center on 120 acres near the I-69 interchange. While Outrigger outlined plans for a facility with 100-150 employees and substantial power needs, council members expressed the need for more specifics on water, sewer, and electricity usage before agreeing to provide city services and zoning approvals.

Why it matters

The proposed data center project represents a significant economic development opportunity for Washington, but also raises questions about the city's ability to support the facility's infrastructure requirements. Council members want to ensure they can adequately meet the data center's needs without overburdening city resources or services.

The details

Outrigger Industrial presented plans for a large data center facility on 120 acres near the I-69 and US 50 interchange. The data center would employ between 100-150 people and require an estimated 100 megawatts to 1 gigawatt of electricity. Outrigger has already discussed power access with the Indiana Municipal Power Agency, but council members requested more specifics on the facility's projected water and sewer usage. Without those details, the council was hesitant to provide a 'willing to serve' letter or amend zoning to explicitly permit data centers. The council told Outrigger representatives they need to provide a proposed site plan to the city's Building Commissioner by April 20 to be considered at the May Plan Commission meeting.

  • The Washington City Council meeting took place on Monday, March 24, 2026.
  • Outrigger Industrial was told they need to provide a proposed site plan to the city's Building Commissioner by April 20, 2026 to be considered at the May Plan Commission meeting.

The players

Bob Grewe

The Daviess County Economic Director, who updated the council on several economic development projects including the CSX railroad's designation of the I-69 interchange area as a certified rail-served site.

Outrigger Industrial

A company looking to build a large data center facility on 120 acres near the I-69 and US 50 interchange in Washington, Indiana.

Indiana Municipal Power Agency

The agency that Outrigger Industrial has discussed power accessibility with for the proposed data center project.

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What’s next

Outrigger Industrial must provide a proposed site plan to the Washington Building Commissioner by April 20, 2026 to be considered at the May Plan Commission meeting.

The takeaway

The Washington City Council is open to the economic development opportunity presented by Outrigger Industrial's proposed data center, but needs more detailed information on the facility's infrastructure requirements before agreeing to provide city services and zoning approvals. Balancing economic growth with the city's ability to support new development will be key in the council's decision-making process.