Prologis has moved ahead with plans for a large Illinois data center development in Shelbyville. The project reflects the company’s continued expansion into digital infrastructure across the Midwest.
Planning filings show Lorm LLC and Alisha Clay are seeking to annex more than a dozen parcels. The land totals 429 acres east of East State Road 44 near the Interstate 74 interchange. When combined with previously annexed parcels, the full site would cover about 576 acres.
The land is currently zoned agricultural or single-family residential. City approvals would allow rezoning to general industrial use.
Campus design allows for future tenant flexibility
Prologis said the Shelbyville site could support up to 13 data center buildings. No end user has been secured for the campus. The approach mirrors a broader industry trend toward speculative development.
Shelbyville sits about 200 miles south of Chicago. It is roughly 100 miles northeast of St. Louis and 150 miles west of Indianapolis. The location offers access to multiple Midwest markets without the constraints of major metros.
Power infrastructure supports large-scale development
City planning staff described the site as well positioned for industrial use. Two Duke Energy transmission lines run through the property. Existing electrical infrastructure was cited as a key advantage.
Project documents state the campus would use closed-loop cooling systems. The design aims to reduce overall water usage.
City officials cite alignment with long-term goals
Municipal staff have recommended moving the proposal forward. Officials said the development fits Shelbyville’s long-term growth strategy.
“We see an opportunity to use existing industrial land and infrastructure to support Shelbyville’s future,” said JC Witt, Senior Vice President of data center investments at Prologis, in comments reported by local media. He said the company’s focus includes job creation and long-term community partnership.
The Shelbyville plan commission and city council are scheduled to review the project in meetings this week.
Resident opposition highlights community concerns
The proposal has triggered opposition from local residents. More than 2,100 people have signed a petition against the development.
The petition argues the project prioritizes economic gains over community health and safety. It also raises concerns about changes to land use and local character.
Project fits broader Prologis data center strategy
The Shelbyville proposal aligns with Prologis’ wider push into data centers. The company has said it holds 1.4 gigawatts of secured power capacity in its pipeline. Another 1.6 gigawatts is in advanced procurement, with 1.5 gigawatts in planning.
Prologis has stated a long-term goal of reaching up to 10 gigawatts of data center capacity within ten years.
The company has current and planned developments in Illinois, Virginia, Georgia, California, and Texas. It is also pursuing projects in Paris. A previously planned Indiana development has been dropped, according to the company.
In Illinois, Prologis is also targeting a 540-acre site in Yorkville. That campus could support up to 24 buildings, further strengthening the state’s role in Midwest digital infrastructure growth.
