Google Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN
Last change recorded 2026-10-04 · Last checked 2026-10-04
Latest: Building 6 estimated operational (Epoch) · Full build-out complete · 2028-06-23 (plan) · recorded 2026-10-04
Project Zodiac, Fort Wayne: ground broken 2024-04-26; the $2bn first phase was reported operational in September 2026 (DCD). The IURC approved on 2026-04-30 a Google-I&M arrangement with demand response to limit grid impact; I&M is rebuilding 69 kV lines and substations (Central Fort Wayne Transmission Improvements). Phase 2 adds four data center buildings and a transmission-line building after an IDEM wetland permit. · source ◐ secondary, confidence medium
Recorded readiness — 3 of 5 applicable milestones have a dated public record
Gate to first power — target 2026-09-15 (estimate) · path: Grid supply · each step must finish its lead time before the target
1 of 1 required steps have a public date. Red = recorded date past the rule-based deadline · grey "no public date" = required step without a record · green = on record in time · context steps never colour.
| Step | Must finish by | Others did it | Known date | Status | Basis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permits in hand (context) | 2026-09-15 (0 mo before) | 4 mo after (n=8) | 2026-09-23 | context | Google seeks approval for 228 more backup generators at the Fort Wayne campus · ◐ | |
| Grid supply agreed | 2025-12-15 (9 mo before) | 7 mo before (n=11) | 2026-04-30 | recorded 4 mo after the deadline | IURC approves the Google-I&M demand-response arrangement · ◐ | |
| Construction started (context) | 2024-09-15 (24 mo before) | 29 mo before (n=15) | 2024-04-26 | context | Ground broken · ● | |
| Full build-out complete (context) | 2027-09-15 (-12 mo before) | — | 2028-06-23 plan | context | Building 6 estimated operational (Epoch) · ● |
This site is energized; lights only show how its recorded steps compared with the lead times.
Lead-time assumptions
- Site secured 15 months before first power — Land under control and campus announced. Rarely binding; shown for context.
- Permits in hand 0 months before first power — Final air and siting permits. Operators often energize on standard or temporary authorisations and receive the major permit later; flagged only when the permit lands more than 6 months after first power or is missing for an on-site plant.
- Grid supply agreed 9 months before first power — Interconnection or large-load agreement approved. Observed median 7 months before first power; the physical works (substation, lines) run in parallel with construction.
- Substation and lines energized 2 months before first power — Utility delivery point live; final tests before the load is taken.
- New generation online 1 months before first power — Utility plant or on-site plant generating; needed just before energization when the grid cannot carry the load alone.
- Major equipment on site 6 months before first power — Turbines, transformers, switchgear delivered; installation and commissioning take the remaining months.
- Construction started 24 months before first power — Groundbreaking of the building that gives first power. Observed 4-26 months for recent AI campuses; Meta's redesigned campuses took 35-58.
- Building ready for IT 0 months before first power — First building ready for IT. 'Complete' or 'opened' is usually reported after first power; flagged only beyond 3 months.
- Full build-out complete -12 months before first power — All announced buildings operational. Comes after first power by design; context only.
- Water supply secured 12 months before first power — Water rights, municipal agreement or desalination contract in hand. Context only; one of the feasibility items.
- Financing closed 12 months before first power — Project financing, anchor lease or committed capital announced. Context only; not applicable when the owner is a hyperscaler building on its balance sheet.
Dated steps (from the sources; later dates are plans)
Power equipment (from permits, filings and reporting; blank cells were not disclosed)
| Category | Make / model | Units | MW | Status | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| diesel genset | — | 228 | — | permit pending | 2026-09-23 | Google seeks approval for 228 more backup generators at the Fort Wayne campus · ◐ |
Build-out timeline (Epoch AI; dated status notes with IT power; rows after today are estimates)
Recorded fact grid supply agreed has a recorded date later than the rule-based deadline for a 2026-09-15 first power.
Calculated requirement Energized; watch the build-out timeline for the next buildings.
Sources (Epoch AI selection): Google's plans for wetlands in Fort Wayne · Data center's diesel generators · Project's history and tax abatement · City Council approval
Epoch AI, 'AI data centers', epoch.ai/data/ai-data-centers (CC BY 4.0); coordinates from GeoNames cities500 (CC BY 4.0) and hand-entered places; overrides in tools/project_overrides.csv with their own sources. Campuses outside the Epoch dataset come from tools/campuses.csv (public reporting, source per row). Data retrieved 2026-10-05. Report a correction to contact@ailoadmap.com (campus id google-fort-wayne; include the row and a source link).