Data center companies have approached Champaign County for projects in Sidney, Tolono
ABEI Energy and Nodiac have contacted Champaign County about potential data center sites near Tolono and Sidney, though neither company has submitted a formal application. The county has paused data center development while a task force prepares guidelines, and Sidney officials and residents have expressed environmental and community concerns.
ABEI Energy, a Spain-based independent power producer, has discussed a potential data center site outside Tolono with Champaign County officials, while Denver-based developer Nodiac has inquired about a site outside Sidney. Both locations are in unincorporated county territory, and county Planning and Zoning Director John Hall said neither company has submitted an application, leaving the seriousness and timing of the proposals uncertain.
Champaign County has paused data center development until next spring while a task force develops guidelines for large-scale projects. Sidney Trustee Leroy Schluter said village officials and residents are not interested in a data center absent significant benefits and questioned the environmental impact. The developments come as Illinois officials consider broader data center regulations, with Gov. JB Pritzker urging lawmakers to address the issue during the November veto session.