A case for data center growth

Tony DelGiorno, a Sangamon County Board member for District 23 and Democratic Caucus leader, reflects on the recent Sangamon County Board vote concerning a CyrusOne data center zoning petition in Talkington Township, Illinois. DelGiorno clarifies that the vote was not partisan, with Democrats splitting evenly, and emphasizes that the Board's decision centered on whether a proposal meeting existing zoning standards should advance while also demanding strong building-code enforcement, transparency, and accountability. DelGiorno addresses opposition arguments, distinguishing CyrusOne's proposed rural site, located about 30 miles from downtown Springfield and roughly a half-mile from the nearest home, from more densely populated locations often criticized. He refutes comparisons to Springfield’s blighted Pillsbury plant or CyrusOne’s Aurora facility, which was acquired rather than built by the company. He also notes that the zoning petition is separate from building permits, allowing the county to tighten building standards before construction. The article highlights local benefits, including hundreds of union construction jobs and permanent facility jobs. DelGiorno states he worked with county leaders to secure CyrusOne's commitment to STEM education funding, apprenticeship development, and minority recruitment. Regarding environmental and utility concerns, he points out the project's planned use of existing electrical infrastructure from a nearby solar farm, certified ample capacity from Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative and MISO, a one-time-fill closed-loop cooling design for water, and the use of Tier 4 diesel generators for emergency backup only, minimizing environmental impact. DelGiorno concludes by asserting that the project meets the requirements of a unanimously-passed data center ordinance from the previous year and that he supported the zoning petition, advocating for responsible investment with strong standards.