Hillwood

Data Center Signal is tracking 18 clips about Hillwood data center developments across 3 states, including IL, MI, TN.

18Clips

3States

States

Topics

opposition89%

zoning83%

government67%

electricity50%

water44%

environmental33%

announcement28%

moratorium11%

legal6%

News ClipThe Tennessean·Wilson County, TN

Wilson County leaders pause to study data centers' impact on water and power

Wilson County leaders are considering a six-month moratorium on data center development to study their impact on water, electricity, and zoning regulations. This follows the rejection of a large industrial park plan by Hillwood, which local farmers feared could have included data centers. Officials aim to create specific zoning ordinances for data centers, as they currently fall under warehousing use.

moratorium electricity water zoning opposition government environmental

7/14/2026

News ClipShaw Local·IL

Questions arise over data centers’ water use, Illinois considers mandating water-efficient cooling systems

Northern Illinois communities are grappling with data centers' significant water consumption, leading to public skepticism and higher water rates. The state is considering the POWER Act to mandate water-efficient cooling, while residents have filed a lawsuit against a project in Joliet. Cities like Yorkville and Lockport are also implementing local policies or pausing discussions due to water concerns.

water environmental government legal opposition

Perot-backed data center developer eyes Buick City site in Flint

Hillwood-Sterling, a joint venture backed by Perot, is under contract to acquire approximately 200 acres of the former Buick City site in Flint, Michigan. The developers intend to build a data center on this large brownfield site.

announcement

6/4/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Illinois data center boom sparks local backlash and policy discussions

Communities across northern Illinois, including Joliet and Yorkville, are debating proposed multi-billion dollar data center projects. While offering significant tax revenue, these projects face strong resident opposition due to concerns over water use, energy demand, and rapid growth. Lockport has indefinitely postponed data center proposals following resident pushback, while Joliet and Yorkville approved projects despite similar opposition.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water moratorium

Equinix Meta

5/30/2026

News Clip1340 WJOL·Joliet, Will County, IL

Data center regulations proposed as $20 billion, 795-acre Joliet project advances

Opponents in Joliet, Illinois, are protesting a $20 billion data center project by Hillwood and PowerHouse DataCenters, arguing it advanced without sufficient public oversight. State legislators are proposing new bills to regulate data centers, citing concerns over utility bills and water supply, and aiming to prevent local governments from signing non-disclosure agreements with developers.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

5/11/2026

News ClipChicago Construction News·Joliet, Will County, IL

Data center approval a ‘win-win’ for Joliet and skilled tradespeople

The Joliet City Council has approved a proposal for the Joliet Technology Center, a 795-acre data center development that could become the largest in Illinois. This decision followed months of public debate, with residents opposing the plan and union members advocating for its job creation and tax benefits. The project is expected to generate 8,600 construction jobs and 700 permanent positions, alongside substantial tax revenue and infrastructure funding for the city.

zoning opposition announcement government

3/24/2026

News Clip2:33NBC Chicago·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet approves controversial data center proposal

The Joliet City Council approved a controversial 800-acre data center project, despite significant public opposition citing concerns over electricity, water, noise, and traffic. Supporters, including the mayor, championed the development for its projected union jobs and substantial tax revenue. The project was approved with an eight-to-one vote.

zoning opposition environmental electricity water government

3/20/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet OKs controversial 795-acre data center

The Joliet City Council has approved a controversial 795-acre data center project, the Joliet Technology Center, despite public opposition and concerns about electricity availability and cost. Developers Hillwood and PowerHouse Data Centers plan to begin construction in early 2027, with the facility projected to generate significant tax revenue and jobs for the city.

zoning opposition electricity government

3/20/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet OKs 795-acre data center

The Joliet City Council approved a 795-acre data center despite significant local opposition and concerns over electricity usage. Developers Hillwood and PowerHouse Data Centers plan to begin construction in early 2027, with the project expected to generate substantial tax revenue and jobs for the city and surrounding entities. The vote was 8-1 in favor after a lengthy public hearing.

zoning opposition electricity government announcement

3/19/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet now says city planner Bernhard involvement in data center planning was ‘clerical’

Joliet officials are under scrutiny for downplaying Planning Director Jayne Bernhard's involvement in a proposed 795-acre data center project, despite her family's financial interest in the land. A local committee presented evidence of her participation, prompting the city to revise its statement from "no involvement" to "clerical." The committee argues that any involvement constitutes a conflict of interest.

zoning opposition government

3/19/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet reconvenes data center meeting for a council vote on Thursday

The Joliet City Council is scheduled to vote on a 795-acre data center project on Thursday after the initial public hearing was extended due to over six hours of public comment, largely in opposition. The upcoming meeting will limit further public input before the council's decision.

zoning opposition government

3/18/2026

News ClipThe Times Weekly·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet Data Center Project Sparks Debate over Jobs, Environment, and Taxes

The Joliet City Council is set to vote on a large data center campus proposal involving 24 buildings on 800 acres. Residents voiced significant concerns during a public hearing regarding environmental impacts, water usage, electricity demands, and job quality, while the developer and labor unions highlighted potential economic benefits. The project requires City Council approval of a final planned unit development plat.

zoning opposition electricity water

Microsoft Meta

3/17/2026

News ClipPatch·Joliet, Will County, IL

Mayor DArcy Responds: I Did Not Fall Asleep Last Night During Data Center Joliet City Council Debate

During a lengthy Joliet City Council meeting, a resident voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center, citing health and environmental concerns. The resident also pointed out Mayor Terry D'Arcy appeared to fall asleep during her testimony, which the Mayor later denied, stating he was looking at paperwork.

opposition zoning water environmental

3/17/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet City Council moves vote on data center to Thursday

The Joliet City Council postponed a vote on a proposed 795-acre data center development due to a lengthy public hearing. Hundreds of residents expressed opposition, citing concerns about the project's impact on electricity and water supplies, as well as noise and light pollution. The city staff has recommended approval, citing the potential for significant tax revenue and job creation, but the vote has been moved to Thursday to comply with state election laws.

zoning opposition electricity water government

3/17/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

PHOTOS: Residents fill Joliet City Council Chambers for data center hearing

Hundreds of residents attended a Joliet City Council hearing on a proposed data center project by Hillwood and PowerHouse. The high attendance indicates strong local opposition to the project.

zoning opposition

3/17/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Protesters rally Saturday against Joliet data center

About 50 protesters rallied against a proposed 795-acre data center project in Joliet, IL. The protesters marched to the dealership of the Joliet mayor, chanting opposition slogans. The city council is set to vote on annexing the land for the data center project on Monday.

zoning opposition electricity

3/15/2026

News ClipShaw Local·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet data center developers say they have 6,000 letters of support

Developers for a proposed data center project in Joliet, Illinois say they have 6,000 letters of support ahead of a decisive city council vote on the annexation of 795 acres for the project. The data center has faced intense public opposition, but the city staff and Plan Commission have recommended approval. The developers have also agreed to a $100 million community contribution if the project is approved.

announcement government

3/13/2026

News ClipThe Times Weekly·Joliet, Will County, IL

Joliet residents express opposition to proposed data center

Joliet residents are expressing opposition to a proposed data center campus project by Hillwood, a Perot company located in Texas. The project would consist of 24 buildings on 800 acres of farmland east of the Chicagoland Speedway NASCAR racetrack. If approved, it would be one of the largest data centers in the Chicago region. The Joliet City Council is expected to vote on the proposal as early as next month.

zoning opposition announcement

3/11/2026