Lack of transparency cited on data center speculation in Bloomington

During a recent Bloomington City Council meeting, local residents expressed significant opposition to the potential development of a data center on a 375-acre property near Central Illinois Regional Airport, even though the item was not on the official agenda. Farmer Ruth Burke highlighted a lack of transparency from city leaders regarding the proposed industrial development, which she fears could convert productive farmland and consume large amounts of water and power. Burke drew parallels to data center disputes in Pekin and Joliet, urging greater community involvement from the outset of any project discussions. McLean County Board member Lea Cline, who chairs the county board's land use committee, acknowledged residents' concerns about preserving farmland and tranquility. However, Cline also pointed out that the site's proximity to a newly installed Ameren Illinois substation provides substantial capacity for high-energy users, making it a “logical – though not uncontested – candidate for projects like data centers.” The City of Bloomington recently received a MegaSites grant to install public water and sewer infrastructure in the area, and the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District can sell effluent wastewater, further enabling such industrial uses. Despite the City Council's silence on the matter, Burke and other residents emphasized the need for transparent conversations before any project reaches an advanced stage. No timeline has been provided for when a resolution concerning a three-party agreement between the City, CES Farm LLC, and the airport authority, which could facilitate two industrial developments, might return for a vote.