Hillwood

Data Center Signal is tracking 29 clips about Hillwood data center developments across 4 states, including IL, TX, MI, TN.

29Clips

4States

States

Topics

opposition93%

zoning86%

government79%

electricity55%

environmental52%

water52%

announcement21%

moratorium14%

legal14%

News ClipChicago Reader·Chicago, Cook County, IL

Chicago has abundant water. Data center developers want a taste.

Data center developments in Chicago and northern Illinois are intensifying concerns over water and energy usage. Chicago's Mayor signed an executive order to enact stricter regulations, while residents in Joliet filed a lawsuit over a recently approved data center project. Meanwhile, new legislation to regulate data center water and energy consumption has been proposed at the state level.

water electricity government opposition zoning legal

9/3/2026

News ClipKXAN Austin·Granbury, Hood County, TX

Talarico criticizes Paxton over data center policy, donations; Paxton calls rival a hypocrite

Hood County requested a legal opinion from the Texas Attorney General's office regarding a moratorium on data center development due to numerous applications and citizen concerns. Attorney General Ken Paxton has not responded, drawing criticism from his opponent James Talarico, who alleges corruption due to Paxton's campaign contributions from data center developers. Data centers have become a significant political issue in Texas, with concerns about electricity and water usage.

moratorium government opposition electricity water

Crusoe Energy Microsoft

8/18/2026

News Clipthetexan.news·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Tarrant County Court Temporarily Halts Westlake Data Center Project

A Tarrant County District Court issued a temporary restraining order on a proposed data center in Westlake, Texas, preventing the Town of Westlake from approving a development agreement. The order resulted from a filing by the Lakes at Marshall Ridge Homeowners Association, with a hearing for a temporary injunction set for August 26. The project faces strong opposition from Keller residents and the City of Keller, alongside increasing statewide scrutiny of data center development in Texas.

legal zoning opposition environmental government electricity water moratorium

8/18/2026

News ClipFort Worth Star-Telegram·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Keller City Council calls special meeting for comments on Westlake data center

The Keller City Council is holding a special meeting to allow residents to voice concerns about a proposed 1.1-million-square-foot data center in neighboring Westlake. Residents and the Keller City Council are concerned about the project's impact, despite the Westlake Town Council preparing to vote on a development agreement for the project, which is allowed by right.

zoning opposition environmental government legal electricity water

8/11/2026

News Clipdallasnews.com·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Columnist discusses opposition to Westlake data center, historical zoning$

Keller residents are voicing strong opposition to a proposed Hillwood data center in neighboring Westlake, citing concerns about noise, water demand, and the electrical grid. Columnist Ronell Smith argues that the residents' frustration is misdirected, as the land was zoned for heavy commercial use by Westlake's council in 1998, long before the current subdivisions existed. He suggests that citizens need to pay attention to zoning changes and ordinances earlier, at the state level, rather than waiting for ground to be broken on projects.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

8/6/2026

News ClipDaily Mail·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Texas residents fume over plans for a data center to be built next to their homes, school and a Buddhist monastery

Westlake, Texas residents are in an uproar over plans for the Circle T Data Center, a 1.1 million-square-foot facility to be built near homes, an elementary school, and a Buddhist monastery. Despite significant local opposition over concerns including noise, health impacts, and property values, the Town's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the plans. Residents are now organizing to appeal to the Westlake City Council for the final decision.

zoning opposition environmental government

8/5/2026

News ClipDallas News·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Westlake data center plans advance despite neighbors' concerns$

The Westlake Planning and Zoning Commission in Texas recommended approval for a new data center despite strong opposition from residents, primarily from the neighboring city of Keller. The proposed Circle T Data Center, developed by PowerHouse Data Centers and partnered with Hillwood, is planned for 88 acres bordering Keller and still requires approval from the Westlake Town Council. Neighbors are concerned about proximity to homes and environmental impact, feeling their concerns are being overlooked.

zoning opposition government environmental

8/5/2026

News ClipFort Worth Star-Telegram·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Westlake Planning and Zoning approves data center site; Keller residents voice opposition

The Westlake Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a site plan for a 1.1 million-square-foot data center despite strong opposition from Keller residents concerned about noise, health impacts, and proximity to schools. Residents are now considering legal options and plan to appeal to the Westlake City Council, while the Texas Governor has ordered a statewide audit of data centers regarding their impact and resource use.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

8/5/2026

News Clip2:27NBC DFW·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Keller residents question massive Westlake data center plans

A proposed 3.8 million square foot data center project in Westlake, Texas, is generating significant opposition and confusion among residents in the neighboring city of Keller. Concerns primarily revolve around potential noise, health impacts, and decreased property values. The Westlake Town Council is expected to discuss and possibly approve site plans soon.

zoning opposition environmental government

7/31/2026

News ClipNBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

Westlake's massive planned data center sparks concerns in Keller

Residents in Keller are raising concerns about a massive 3.83 million square foot data center planned in neighboring Westlake, citing worries about noise, health impacts, and property values. The project is set to be reviewed by Westlake's Planning and Zoning Commission, with Keller residents and city officials feeling blindsided by the development. Both cities are in North Texas.

zoning opposition environmental government

7/31/2026

News Clipstar-telegram.com·Westlake, Tarrant County, TX

A 1.1M-square-foot data center campus is coming to Westlake. What we know so far

A 1.1 million-square-foot data center campus is planned for Westlake, Texas, developed by Powerhouse. While Westlake officials anticipate economic benefits and minimal environmental impact, nearby Keller residents express frustration over the project's proximity to their homes and the City of Keller's lack of jurisdictional authority. The data center is expected to use 54 million gallons of water annually and will include a 350-megawatt substation.

announcement opposition environmental government zoning electricity water

7/30/2026

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