Morgan board taking look at proposed review period for any data centers

The Morgan County Board of Commissioners is slated to review a proposal for a 12-month-long review period for data center projects during a special meeting on Monday. Commissioner Michael Woods introduced the proposal at a previous meeting, advocating for its approval in May. If enacted, this ordinance would grant the board a year to evaluate any data center projects proposed within Morgan County. Commissioner Woods emphasized the need for proactive measures, citing concerns that local control over such projects might not always be guaranteed by the state. While Morgan County has not yet received any data center proposals, Board Chair Michael Wankel noted a significant number of constituent messages expressing a desire for the county to be prepared for future applications rather than strict opposition to data centers themselves. The discussion comes as data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence, have become a contentious topic. Proponents highlight potential economic benefits, while opponents raise environmental and community impact concerns. The article references a recent, highly contested approval of a zoning permit for a CyrusOne data center project in neighboring Sangamon County, which generated significant public debate.