Urbana data center city council meeting
Urbana City Council considered whether to settle a lawsuit filed by Thor Equities over the city’s 12-month data center moratorium. A settlement could allow the proposed data center to proceed and avoid potentially $115 million in damages, while opponents urged officials to continue fighting the project.
Urbana City Council members were weighing whether to table a vote or settle litigation brought by Thor Equities over the company’s proposed data center. The dispute began after Urbana voters approved a 12-month moratorium halting action on the project.
Supporters of the proposed settlement argued it could shield the city from as much as $115 million in damages, while opponents said settling would effectively clear the way for the data center and undermine residents’ decision. The debate was also linked to an upcoming Nov. 3 election involving a data center ban on the Champaign County ballot, with critics alleging the council was trying to act before voters could weigh in.