Joliet City Council endorses new data center development plan

The Joliet City Council has officially approved plans for a massive new data center project, marking the start of an ambitious development that is set to have significant economic and environmental impacts on the community. The council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the 795-acre Joliet Technology Center, with only one member opposing the proposal.

The planned facility will feature 24 buildings and will be located near the intersection of Bernhard and Rowell, east of the Chicagoland Speedway. Developers have touted the project as potentially the largest data center in Illinois.

Economic Boost and Job Creation

Proponents of the project have emphasized its substantial long-term economic benefits. According to Joliet officials, the data center is expected to generate $310 million in property taxes over the next 30 years. This revenue will provide critical funding for local institutions, including $670 million for the Joliet Township High School District, $146 million for Will County, and $76 million for Joliet Junior College.

The project is also set to bring major job opportunities to the area. Developers estimate that the construction phase will create between 7,000 and 10,000 locally sourced jobs, with approximately 8,500 individuals working over a nearly five-year period. Once complete, the facility will create 700 permanent onsite positions.

"We can’t turn our backs on jobs in that kind of capacity for that long of a term", said Doc Gregory, president of Will Grundy Building Trades. "You’re looking at probably 1,200 people working day and night, which is huge for us."

Community Concerns and Environmental Fears

Despite the economic advantages, the project has faced significant resistance from residents concerned about its potential impact on their quality of life and the environment. During public hearings, many expressed fears about how the data center would affect their neighborhoods.

"They don’t care", said Craig Doorneweerd, a local resident whose home is less than 300 feet from the proposed site. "They don’t give a darn about the residents of Joliet. My house is going to be less than 300 feet from the data center. You wanna buy my house?"

Another resident, Velshay Stokes, voiced frustration about the lack of transparency throughout the approval process. "I just moved here three years ago. I was super excited, a millennial trying to do right, go to school, get a job, get a house", Stokes said. "Now I feel stuck. I feel we weren’t heard. There’s not information, so it’s pretty scary."

Carley, a worker from Joliet, echoed these concerns, warning of the potential long-term consequences. "Permanent damage that we may not be able to go back and change", they said. "Jobs come and go, but our health and environment does not come back."

Development Timeline

The decision to move forward comes after weeks of heated debate and a public meeting that lasted more than six hours. Developers have stated that construction planning is set to begin immediately, with hopes of breaking ground in early 2027.

Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty described the annexation agreement as a balanced approach to meet community and economic needs. "This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way", Beatty said in a statement. "It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and long-term financial benefits for the community."

As the city prepares for this significant undertaking, residents remain divided over whether the benefits outweigh the risks. For now, the Joliet Technology Center is set to become a defining development in the city’s future.

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