ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - State officials and Google executives came to town Friday morning to discuss a development that's widely considered one of the worst-kept secrets in the area: Project Zodiac.
At 10:45 a.m., officials revealed details on the project, which was revealed in January to be a Google data center near where Fort Wayne and New Haven meet. Friday's meeting was deemed the official groundbreaking ceremony for the campus that's being built on hundreds of acres in the area of East Tillman and Adams Center roads.
The data center is expected to create up to 200 jobs, according to a press release from Google.
When the development was first announced in October, confirmed specifics were only that it was a Fortune 100 company looking to occupy more than 800 acres, and the investment would be worth billions. In December 2023, Fort Wayne City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement following the designation of the land at 5801 Adams Center Road as an “Economic Revitalization Area.”
Friday, it was announced the development is worth $2 billion, and in addition to the data center, its campus will partner with Ivy Tech Community College for Google's Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) program.
According to the press release, the goal is to "increase the entry-level pipeline in the skilled trades with a focus on underrepresented communities. These pre-employment programs offer paid training and networking opportunities to help participants move directly into employment on local construction projects."
"I hope this project will inspire another generation of Hoosiers interested in pursuing education and careers in STEM, in trades and even sustainability," said Ben Townsend, the global head of infrastructure strategy and sustainability at Google.
The data center campus will also be collaborating with Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) to add clean energy to the local grid. In turn, the move aims to help maintain affordable, reliable service for all I&M customers, according to the release.
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker began her remarks with a moment of silence for the late Mayor Tom Henry, who had a hand in the plans for the data center until his passing at the end of March.
“There’s never been a better time to be in Fort Wayne,” Tucker said. “This investment from Google isn't just about infrastructure or economic development; it's about building a stronger tomorrow, together.”
Holcomb called it a "historic day for the state of Indiana."
"To be able to plant Google's flag on Hoosier soil right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana... it really makes our state jump off the American map - indeed, it makes our state jump off the world atlas," Holcomb said.
Speaking at the event Friday were Townsend, Holcomb and Tucker, along with U.S. Senator Todd Young; Utaukwa Allen, Google head of data center economic development; Joe Kava, Google VP of global data centers; and Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg.