A massive data center is being proposed for Daviess County at the intersection of I-69 and US 50—and once again, our community is being asked to accept a project with long-term consequences and too many unanswered questions.

Outrigger Industrial is pitching a 120-acre development that could consume up to 500 megawatts of power—an amount comparable to the energy needs of entire cities. Yet basic details, including how much water the facility would require, remain unclear. Even the developer has acknowledged that securing water and sewer access is still an open question.

This should concern every resident.

Across the country, communities are pushing back against large-scale data centers because of what they demand—and what they give back. These facilities can require enormous amounts of electricity and water, placing strain on local infrastructure and natural resources. They often receive significant tax incentives, while creating relatively few permanent jobs compared to other types of development.

While this project is projected to bring in tax revenue and some high-paying jobs, many residents are asking a simple question: at what cost?

Once built, a data center can permanently reshape land use in a rural area like Daviess County. It can limit future development options, increase pressure on utilities, raise utility bills for working families, and create long-term environmental risks that are difficult to reverse. And when key details are still unknown, moving forward quickly is not responsible planning—it’s a gamble.

This petition calls on the Washington City Council, the Daviess County Planning Commission, and local utility providers to:

Deny or delay approval of this data center project until full, transparent studies are completed on water usage, energy demand, environmental impact, and long-term economic tradeoffs—and until residents have a meaningful voice in the decision.

Our community deserves answers. Our resources deserve protection. And our future deserves careful planning—not rushed decisions.