Data center development is paused in Champaign County. That's not curbing interest from developers though
Champaign County has a one-year moratorium on new data center development while a task force develops zoning and permitting standards. Developers Clean Cloud Energy, ABEI Energy and Nodiac have explored sites in or near Mahomet, Tolono and Sidney, but Mahomet ended discussions after resident opposition and no applications have been filed for the other sites.
Champaign County imposed a one-year moratorium on new data center development in unincorporated areas while its data center task force drafts zoning and permitting standards. The pause does not apply within incorporated villages, allowing Mahomet officials to consider a project independently of the county moratorium.
Mahomet ended discussions with Clean Cloud Energy after residents raised concerns about the potential impact on nearby schools, public health and the community’s priorities. ABEI Energy has contacted the county about a site near Tolono, while Denver-based Nodiac has expressed interest in a site near Sidney; neither company has submitted an application. Sidney residents and officials have voiced opposition, citing environmental concerns.
The county board also approved a resolution prohibiting tax abatements for data centers, while the task force considers regulations before the moratorium expires in April. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has urged state lawmakers to address data center regulation and has paused the state’s data center tax incentive.