Joliet OKs 795-acre data center

On Thursday, the Joliet City Council in Illinois gave its approval to a contentious 795-acre data center project, voting 8-1 in favor after a six-and-a-half-hour public hearing earlier in the week. Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing concerns about her district becoming a "dumping ground." Mayor Terry D'Arcy and Councilman Cesar Cardenas highlighted the economic benefits, including an anticipated $677 million in property taxes for Joliet Township High School District 204 and $2.1 billion for all taxing bodies over 30 years. The approval grants the green light for the Joliet Technology Center, an annexation agreement for a site in the area of Rowell and Bernhard roads in Jackson Township. Developers Hillwood and PowerHouse Data Centers intend to commence construction in early 2027, with the first sub-campus slated for completion by 2028 and the entire 6.9 million square foot facility by 2032. The project is designed for four sub-campuses, each with six two-story buildings. A significant point of contention among residents was the data center's immense power consumption, projected to reach 1.8 gigawatts at full use, nearly matching the generation capacity of the Hoover Dam. While experts testifying for the project stated that PJM, the regional transmission organization, had no concerns about power availability, local opponents voiced worries about the impact on electricity costs and supply. Proponents countered that the project would bring 7,000-10,000 construction jobs and 700 permanent high-paying jobs, along with an additional $100 million for the city from Hillwood.