A potential data center project in Hammond could deliver exactly what the community hoped for: high-tech jobs, educational opportunities, and a foundation for long-term prosperity. Supported by the Lake County Economic Alliance (LCEA), this isn't just another development deal—it's a transformative investment.
The ambitious initiative, spearheaded by Quantum Corridor with support from Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and the Hammond Redevelopment Commission, represents a new chapter in the city's economic story.
Located on the former State Line Generating Plant site, the facility transforms an industrial peninsula while maintaining thoughtful distance from residential neighborhoods.
"We've already built Indiana's first data center here in Hammond," McDermott said. "Now we're building something even bigger—an economic engine that will benefit the city for decades."
What sets this project apart isn't just its cutting-edge technology, but its unprecedented commitment to education. Through a visionary development agreement, Quantum Corridor will contribute $4 million annually for 20 years—a remarkable $80 million total.
These funds would then be used to fully fund Hammond's College Bound Scholarship Program for decades to come.
"For 20 years, Hammond families won't have to worry about college funding," McDermott said. "We've already invested $55 million in this program over the last two decades. Now we can confidently say it’s secured for another generation."
Tom Dakich, Managing Director of Quantum Corridor, sees the Hammond project as the cornerstone of a much larger vision for the Region’s technological future.
"When we started this project, our goal was to build an entire data center industry in Indiana," Dakich said. "Hammond was the natural starting point because of its access to fiber and proximity to Chicago."
The potential extends far beyond a single facility.
Dakich envisions high-paying careers in quantum research, defense technology, and advanced computing—the kind of opportunities that keep talented young people in the Region while attracting new professionals from across the country.
"There's no limit to the expansion possible here," Dakich said. "We're laying the groundwork for a quantum technology campus that will attract some of the world's largest companies."
Dakich praised both NIPSCO's careful planning and the city's collaborative spirit.
"Hammond has been a phenomenal partner,” Dakich said. “This is a model for how tech and local government can work together.”
As Quantum Corridor expands fiber networks throughout the region, the data center in Hammond would serve as a crucial hub in Indiana's growing digital infrastructure.
"This is just the beginning," Dakich said with enthusiasm. "With the right partnerships, we can turn the Region into one of the most connected and competitive places in the country."
To learn more about the Lake County Economic Alliance, please visit lcea.us.
