According to a report in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, the East Allen County school district is set to receive up to $3.75 million over the next 25 years through a grant agreement with the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Department. The funding, approved unanimously by the EACS school board on Tuesday, is tied to a tax increment financing (TIF) district linked to the development of a Google data center within the district’s boundaries.

Tax increment financing is a tool used by local governments to fund infrastructure projects that spur economic growth. In this case, the TIF district supports Google’s $2 billion investment in a 12-building data center complex spanning 892 acres near New Haven. The project is expected to create 200 full-time jobs and significantly impact the local economy.

Pat McCann, EACS’s chief financial officer, explained that the district worked closely with the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission to address the economic implications of the data center’s development. The grant was established to ensure the school district benefits from the project’s growth. Payments will vary annually based on revenue generated by the TIF district, with EACS projected to receive between 2.25 million and 3.75 million over the 25-year agreement, which runs through December 31, 2049.

The funds will be disbursed annually by December 15, starting this year. McCann emphasized that the grant provides flexibility in how the money can be used, allowing the district to allocate resources toward educational programs, workforce training, and other initiatives aimed at preparing students for future careers. For example, the funding could support the East Allen Career Center, potentially enabling the hiring of additional staff to expand its career-focused programs.

“With so many uncertainties, having a guaranteed minimum funding source is incredibly valuable as we work to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce,” McCann said following the board meeting. As part of the agreement, EACS will be required to submit an annual report to the redevelopment commission detailing how the funds were used during the academic year.