Bloomington refutes online reports of planned data center, plans public forums

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady announced on Friday that the city currently has no plans to consider a data center proposal in May, directly refuting recent social media rumors suggesting a "hyperscale center" annexation or proposal on the May 11 or 18 city council agenda. The mayor clarified that while there is growing business interest in the area, no data center specific proposal is slated for discussion next month. The city's statement comes after online speculation last month prompted residents to voice concerns at a city council meeting about a development later confirmed not to be a data center. Acknowledging the controversy and public concern over data centers' potential strain on resources like water and energy, Mayor Brady committed to scheduling a series of public forums. These forums aim to provide an open platform for residents of Bloomington to express diverse points of view, with the promise of integrity, transparency, and open communication from the council. This local discussion occurs within a broader context, as McLean County has already established land use policies restricting data centers to manufacturing-zoned areas, though Bloomington and Normal have yet to implement their own regulations. Concurrently, Illinois lawmakers are deliberating the POWER Act, legislation that would mandate data center companies to cover their own energy costs and report water usage. Several community groups, including the Citizens Utility Board, Faith in Place, the Illinois Environmental Council, and Prairie Rivers Network, have also organized a public forum at the Bloomington Public Library to inform residents about data center impacts and facilitate community response.