Developer plans data center in Pioneer

Tom Cervenka, principal for Cervenka Development Partners, recently addressed the Pioneer Planning Commission regarding his interest in developing a 20-megawatt data center in the village. Cervenka outlined plans to acquire a property on Kexon Drive, currently owned by AquaBounty, for the project. He emphasized his company's commitment to transparency and revitalizing properties, noting his proactive approach in speaking to the commission early in the process.

Despite early discussions, Cervenka acknowledged the project is in its nascent stages, lacking a final design, identified partners, or specific user agreements. Consequently, he could not provide definitive details on building size, job creation, or precise investment figures, though he estimated $8 million to $12 million investment per megawatt. He anticipates returning to the commission with more concrete building plans by December or January, aiming for the facility to be operational by 2027.

Cervenka proactively addressed common community concerns regarding data centers, specifically water usage and noise. He explained that the proposed facility would utilize modern closed-loop cooling systems, significantly reducing water consumption compared to older data centers. Regarding noise, he committed to conducting baseline studies and designing the facility to mitigate sound through strategic component placement and sound barriers. Village Councilman Brock Zuver inquired about the possibility of a larger data center and a proposed law requiring onsite power generation, to which Cervenka indicated the 20 MW capacity was tied to the available substation and expressed unawareness of the power generation law, noting it would prevent the project if passed.