Rochelle City Council unanimously rejects data center proposal

The Rochelle City Council unanimously rejected a data center proposal brought forward by Midwest Power Investors LLC, in affiliation with New York-based real estate company LFF Industrial. The proposed facility, planned along Steward Drive, would have initially required 48 megawatts (MW) of power, with potential expansion to 150 MWs. The agreement had been in the works since early 2025, with a zoning ordinance approved on March 3, 2025, to allow data centers on the specific land. However, after pushing back a decision from March 23, 2026, the council revisited the proposal on April 27. Following more than a half-hour of debate, Mayor John Bearrows publicly stated his opposition, urging the council to vote against the contract. The council ultimately voted 0-7, rejecting the development, a decision met with applause from the chambers.