The Northwest Indiana Forum, along with other local officials, have been working with Amazon to bring the Project Rise data center to Jasper County. On June 17, their efforts paid off as county officials approved the project.
“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,” said Heather Ennis, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, in a press release. “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.”
Part of the deal includes $25 million to expand access to public water services in Wheatfield Township. Amazon also will pay for all water and wastewater infrastructure the campus will need. The campus will not use the public water systems and get water independently instead.
“For rural communities like Jasper County, finding the funding to upgrade infrastructure can present a serious challenge,” said Jasper County Commissioner President Rein Bontreger. “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.”
Amazon will invest $7 billion in the community, including $98 million paid in advance. The facility is expected to create 250 jobs.
“Amazon is committed to building a better future in Indiana,” said Roger Wehner, vice president of economic development for Amazon Web Services. “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.”
The data center also will increase annual revenue to more than $20 million over 10 years. The county currently brings in $70,000 in property taxes on the location.
“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.”
According to the Kankakee Post News, the 304-acre data center will be built on land owned by Merrillville-based NIPSCO, near the Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield. NIPSCO is building a 400-megawatt peaker plant at the site. Testimony to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor reported the facility will cost $643.7 million for construction and financing.
The Forum said the Amazon facility will mostly use outside air for cooling, except on very to days, which amounts to about 2% of water-based cooling a year.
Amazon will restore 425 acres of natural habitat in the Kankakee River watershed in partnership with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. The project is expected to increase available water by 110 million gallons annually.
“This project represents years of work focused on preparing Jasper County for long-term investment while protecting the interests of our residents and communities,” said Sara DeYoung, executive director of the Jasper County Economic Development Organization. “Throughout this process, county officials have focused on infrastructure, responsible growth, and ensuring that local benefits are part of the conversation from the beginning.”
In 2025 Amazon, announced plans to invest $15 billion in Northern Indiana data centers. Amazon broke ground on a $11 billion data center in New Carlisle in 2024. It is “already powering Anthropic’s AI model training,” according to a 2025 CNBC report. It provides about 1,000 jobs, according to the South Bend Regional Chamber.
Amazon also opened an 800,000-square-foot advanced robotics fulfillment center in Elkhart last fall. It will employ about 1,000 full-time employees.
