Sangamon board OKs large data center near Waverly

The Sangamon County Board recently approved a zoning permit for a new data center project proposed by CyrusOne near Waverly, Illinois. The board's vote was 17-10 in favor of the permit, allowing CyrusOne to proceed with plans to build a $500 million facility on 280 acres of farmland in Talkington Township. The proposed data center, which would include six 250,000-square-foot buildings, has faced considerable community opposition over several months. Residents expressed concerns primarily about potential noise pollution, environmental impact, and the strain the facility could place on local utilities and infrastructure. John Hatem, President of CyrusOne, acknowledged these concerns, stating that the company is committed to addressing them and looks forward to being a "long-term partner in Sangamon County." The construction and operational startup of the data center are projected to take four to six years.