Logan County enacts 12-month data center moratorium
Logan County officials have enacted a one-year moratorium on data center projects following a 6-4 vote, less than a month after Champaign County passed a similar measure. This decision came despite a proposed project by Hut 8 that would have generated significant tax revenue, facing consistent opposition from local residents concerned about potential impacts. The board acknowledged the need for more time to conduct a cost-benefit study that had been promised earlier.
On May 19, Logan County officials voted 6-4 to approve a one-year moratorium on new data center projects. This action followed a similar decision by the Champaign County Board, which enacted its own yearlong moratorium with an 11-3 vote.
The moratorium directly impacts a project proposed by Hut 8, a publicly traded company. While this project was projected to be smaller and use less power than a CyrusOne data center approved for Sangamon County, it promised over seven times the annual revenue for Logan County. Support for the Hut 8 proposal came from unions, who cited the construction jobs associated with data centers receiving state tax breaks. However, Logan County residents consistently voiced their displeasure at County Board meetings.
During the May 19 meeting, District 6 board member J. Lance Conahan criticized the County Board for not conducting a promised cost-benefit study after an initial 60-day moratorium, which was approved 9-2 on February 24 and later expired in late April. Residents had pushed for a longer moratorium. An April 29 meeting, attended by approximately 100 people largely opposed to the Hut 8 project, saw the board postpone a decision on extending the moratorium, opting to refer the matter to the Zoning and Economic Development Committee first.