Mahomet ends talks with data center developer after community backlash
Mahomet officials ended discussions with Clean Cloud Energy about a proposed data center after strong community backlash. The decision effectively halts the proposal, while Champaign County continues a temporary pause on data center development and considers future regulations.
Mahomet Village President Jason Tompkins announced that village officials had ended talks with Clean Cloud Energy over a potential data center project. Trustee Bruce Colravy said he opposed the proposal and credited residents and surrounding communities whose opposition helped influence the decision. Village officials said resident concerns played a significant role and that future commercial development would need to align with Mahomet’s priorities.
Champaign County has a one-year pause on data center development, although it does not apply within Mahomet, and a task force is working on guidelines for future large-scale projects. Residents have urged the county to ban data centers, while some officials say the county lacks the authority to do so without home rule. At the state level, Gov. JB Pritzker has urged lawmakers to address data center regulation and has paused a related tax incentive while proposing a regulatory framework.