While another data center project stalls amid community opposition, Indiana lawmakers are trying to incentivize cities and towns to approve them.

Driving the news: A rezoning request for a data center proposed for Pike Township was withdrawn this week after pushback from neighbors and area leaders.

• American Tower Corp. said in a statement to local media that it would wait for the city to complete work on updating its zoning regulations before considering future projects.

The big picture: Data centers are cropping up all over the country, and Indiana — with ample water, relatively inexpensive land and a sales tax exemption — has attracted a number of large data center projects in the last few years.

• Communities, though, are pushing back.

State of play: The Indiana General Assembly is looking to tip the scales for local governments that may otherwise want to side with residents mounting opposition over concerns about the projects' local impact and resource usage.

• The House on Monday passed House Bill 1333, which would increase the sales tax charged to data centers from nothing to 1%. That 1% would go to the local government that approved the project.

Between the lines: It could be an attractive offer for local governments feeling the pinch of Senate Enrolled Act 1, last year's property tax overhaul.

What they're saying: "We've got to store data somewhere," said state Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso), chair of the House committee on utilities and author of the 1% incentive language.

• Soliday said the discussion around data centers has "become so emotional" and suggested the 1% sales tax could be a boon for local governments.

Reality check: Lawmakers exempted data centers from the state's 7% sales tax in 2019.

What's next

Hoosiers' incomes have seen some of the nation's smallest gains over the past five decades, according to data from a new Urban Institute analysis.

Why it matters: Lagging income growth can make it difficult for Indiana to attract and retain workers, especially young professionals with geographic flexibility looking to become the next generation of homeowners and entrepreneurs.

By the numbers: After adjusting for inflation, Indiana's median household income has increased by just 14% from 1970 to 2023, going from $60,907 to $69,477.

• That's well below the national growth rate of 32%, and the fourth lowest increase in the U.S.
• Indiana has the nation's 37th-highest median income. The state ranked 16th in 1970.

What they're saying: "Income alone does not determine a family's prosperity, but it does offer a snapshot of economic growth," the D.C.-based think tank wrote.

Between the lines: Education is the single strongest factor tied to income growth, per the report.

• Another contributor: Immigrants.
• "This could be because immigration leads to economic growth, immigrants seek out growing areas, or both."

Zoom in: Bachelor's degree holders in Indiana increased 22% from 1970 to 2023, according to the Urban Institute.

• Its foreign-born population rose 5%.

Zoom out: Income growth has surged in parts of the West, mid-Atlantic and Northeast, while other regions have largely stagnated.

Go deeper

🖥️ In more data center news, MetroBloks is continuing to push for its Martindale-Brightwood project over the concerns of neighbors. (WFYI)

🐶 Indianapolis Animal Care Services is experiencing an overcrowding crisis, operating over 100% capacity for dogs.

• The winter storm limited adoptions, preventing the shelter from creating space to continue at its current intake rate. IACS says that, without immediate relief, "there may be some difficult decisions to make."
• IACS is asking for help with fosters and adopters. (Via press release)

💊 President Trump called Eli Lilly's CEO David Ricks "a star" in a recent cabinet meeting, thanks to the company's U.S. expansion plans. (IBJ)

🚧 Part of the Indianapolis Artsgarden — the domed structure over Washington Street downtown — collapsed onto the street below, likely due to a burst pipe. (IndyStar)

First, he led Indiana University to the school's first national championship. Now, Fernando Mendoza is being recognized as one of the most influential Hispanics in sports.

Driving the news: Mendoza is among the 10 athletes on the inaugural Latinos in Sports (LiS) Power Players list.

Why it matters: The Heisman Trophy winner's visibility underscores the growing influence of Latino athletes in college sports, as Hispanic participation in NCAA athletics hits record highs.

The big picture: Latinos are projected to account for one-third of growth in the U.S. sports economy by 2035, according to a McKinsey report.

What they're saying: "Their cultural upbringing is a component of [their] success, and they are unapologetic about celebrating that and bringing that into whatever rooms they are in," Latinos in Sports co-founder Xavier A. Gutierrez tells Axios.

See the full list

The 2026 Winter Olympics begin Friday, continuing an athletic tradition that began a century ago.

Why it matters: The Hoosier state didn't collect its first Winter Games gold medal until 2022.

Driving the (old) news: Lawrenceburg's Justin Schoenefeld made history four years ago when he helped the U.S. secure victory in the inaugural mixed team aerials freestyle skiing event.

• He shared the honor with teammates Ashley Caldwell — now his wife — and Chris Lillis.

What he said: "I haven't stopped smiling for like 30 minutes and my cheeks are starting to get sore, but it's seriously the greatest feeling," he said. I just won the biggest competition in the world, especially with two of my best friends."

Fun fact: Schoenefeld grew up skiing with fellow Hoosier winter Olympian Nick Goepper at southern Indiana's Perfect North Slopes.

What's next: Goepper, who has won two silver medals and one bronze in his three previous Olympic outings, is representing Indiana as the sole Hoosier heading to Milano-Cortina 2026.