Protests over data center construction escalate into armed conflict in the USA
In Indianapolis, opponents of data centers opened fire on the home of city council member Ron Gibson, who supported the new data center project. Thirteen shots were fired into the door, accompanied by a note stating, "Data centers are forbidden." Gibson stated that this threat endangers his child’s and the neighborhood’s safety.
The incident followed Gibson’s support for zoning changes to allow the construction of data centers in the Martindale-Brightwood area. Around 100 local residents oppose the project, arguing it will not create jobs. The company Metrobloks plans to invest $500 million in a campus consisting of two data centers with a capacity of 75 MW, taking on the responsibility of upgrading the power grid.
Protests have spread to other U.S. states as well, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin in January 2026, where efforts were made to remove the mayor for supporting similar projects. The pace of data center construction is outstripping upgrades to power grids, which could result in 70% grid deterioration by 2030.
Metrobloks is an investor and developer specializing in building high-tech infrastructure. Its projects include not only erecting facilities but also modernizing energy systems to ensure robust and reliable power supply.
Overall, this situation highlights serious conflicts between local residents and the data center industry, as well as the negative impact rapid infrastructure development has on energy systems. At the same time, investments in such projects significantly reshape urban environments and provoke public resistance.
Going forward, the future of similar projects will depend on balancing investor, government, and community interests, as well as the energy networks’ ability to adapt to increasing demands.
