Northwest Indiana Forum Announces Amazon Data Center in Jasper County
JASPER COUNTY, IN (June 17, 2026) — The Northwest Indiana Forum today announced Project Rise, a new Amazon data center campus in Jasper County that pairs long-term economic investment with targeted projects that strengthen local infrastructure, support environmental stewardship, ensure ratepayer protections, and provide lasting community benefits. The project was approved by a unanimous vote of Jasper County officials.
Amazon worked closely with local officials to identify projects that support local priorities. As part of the project, Amazon is investing $25 million to expand access to domestic water service in Wheatfield Township, delivering lasting quality-of-life benefits for current and future residents. Amazon will also fully fund all water and wastewater infrastructure needed to serve its campus, operating independently of the public systems by receiving water from NIPSCO.
The Jasper County campus is designed to be highly water and energy efficient, using outside air for cooling most of the year and only switching to water-based cooling on the hottest days—roughly 2% of the year—which reduces power demand by 25–35% at precisely the moments when the grid is most stressed. At full buildout, the entire campus will use approximately eight million gallons of water for cooling each year, less than a single U.S. golf course. To give back far more than it takes, Amazon is collaborating with Shirley Heinze Land Trust to restore 425 acres of natural habitat in the Kankakee River watershed, a project expected to improve local water availability by more than 110 million gallons annually—more than ten times what the campus uses.
Amazon works closely with utilities to ensure it covers the full cost of powering its data centers while investing in new energy resources that help strengthen the grid. Amazon recently expanded its innovative energy agreement with NIPSCO to support data center growth. Over 15 years, the agreement is expected to save NIPSCO electric customers approximately $1.25 billion.
Between 2024-2025, Amazon committed to investing $26 billion in data center infrastructure in the state of Indiana. This investment is expected to create 2,100 new jobs, adding to the more than 40,000 jobs the company currently supports across the state. The Jasper County campus is expected to make up [LB8.1]$7 billion of this commitment and to create 250 new permanent positions. To date, Amazon has already hired 900 data center operations staff at its St. Joseph County site.
As part of the Jasper County investment, Amazon will provide $98 million in upfront funds, as well as more than $23 million in new annual revenue for 10 years of full operation, at which point it is anticipated to increase, compared to the $70,000 in property taxes the properties currently generate.
Quotes:
“Project Rise is a great example of what responsible economic development can look like when community priorities are built into a project from the start. This project will bring new jobs and significant tax base to Jasper County, but just as importantly, it will help deliver game-changing infrastructure that respond directly to regional needs. We thank the Commissioners and Councils for their leadership on this project,” — Heather Ennis, President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum.
"When businesses invest in Indiana the right way with community support, new energy generation, and infrastructure improvements, it strengthens our state for generations to come,” said Gov. Mike Braun. "Project Rise is an example of how we can grow Indiana’s economy while continuing to invest in Hoosier communities." — Governor Mike Braun.
"Today's announcement is an example of the strong community benefits that economic development projects like this can deliver. Amazon’s investment will create high-skilled jobs, support local water infrastructure, reduce energy costs for residents and generate long-term revenue for Jasper County — along with dedicated funding for public safety, road and other community improvements." — Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston.
“For rural communities like Jasper County, finding the funding to upgrade infrastructure can present a serious challenge. Amazon’s $25 million investment in local water infrastructure will bring municipal service to the Town of Wheatfield, for the first time. This is a transformative investment that responds directly to community need.” — Jasper County Commissioner President Rein Bontreger.
"This project represents years of work focused on preparing Jasper County for long-term investment while protecting the interests of our residents and communities. Throughout this process, county officials have focused on infrastructure, responsible growth, and ensuring that local benefits are part of the conversation from the beginning. We understand residents will have questions, and we are committed to continuing to provide information and opportunities for public engagement as the project moves forward.” — Sara DeYoung, Executive Director, Jasper County Economic Development Organization.
“Amazon is committed to building a better future in Indiana. When we build a data center, we work closely with community-based organizations and local leaders to ensure our investments respond to local needs, whether that be conserving local habitat or upskilling the local workforce for careers in cloud computing and technology.” — Roger Wehner, Vice President of Economic Development for Amazon Web Services.