JOLIET, Ill. — The Joliet City Council has approved plans for a massive 795-acre data center campus, clearing the way for what is expected to become the largest facility of its kind in Illinois and one of the most significant construction projects in the Midwest.
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The approval came after months of debate, public hearings and community input, with only one council member voting against the proposal. The project, led by HW Technology Park Development LLC, is slated for a rural site near the intersection of Rowell and Bernhard roads, adjacent to the Chicagoland Speedway.
Plans call for the development of 24 buildings across farmland, designed to house servers and infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence and large-scale data storage. If completed on schedule, the facility is expected to be operational by 2030.
"This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way," Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty said in a statement. "It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and longterm financial benefits for the community."
City officials estimate the project will generate between 7,000 and 10,000 construction jobs at peak activity, along with approximately 700 permanent positions once the facility is operational. For contractors and subcontractors, the scale of the campus represents a multi-year pipeline of work spanning site development, structural construction, electrical systems and specialized data infrastructure.
The developer has also pledged $100 million toward local infrastructure improvements, including sidewalks, streets and municipal services — a commitment that could further expand construction opportunities tied to the project.
In addition, project leaders estimate the development could deliver up to $2 billion in long-term tax revenue for the city, strengthening local budgets and public services.
Despite the economic potential, the proposal has sparked strong reactions from residents. Public hearings earlier in the week drew hours of testimony, largely from opponents concerned about environmental, health and utility impacts.
At one point, the volume of public comments forced officials to delay the final vote, underscoring the intensity of community interest. The council meeting where the project was approved also saw large crowds, with some attendees forced to listen from overflow areas.
"I'm extremely disappointed today after the vote," Serena Guzman said. "I would like to say that I would like to see committees that involve our Spanish-speaking communities. I am so disappointed that there are two Hispanics up there that have failed your community. There is one person up there with a backbone."
Longtime resident Kathleen Garthus also voiced concern about the broader impact of development in the area.
"It affects your whole life. Your quality of life is gone, your peace and quietness is gone, and your health suffers," she said.
Others expressed support, particularly from a workforce perspective. Union member Thomas Fulara backed the project, citing the significant number of construction jobs it is expected to create.
Questions around energy use and environmental impact have been central to the debate. Data centers are known for their high electricity demand, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence operations.
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Officials from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) have stated that the energy required to operate the facility will not increase electricity costs for local residents or businesses. The developer also noted that the data center will not rely on water for cooling during operations, though water will be needed during initial construction phases.
The Joliet project reflects a broader surge in data center construction across the U.S., driven by rapid growth in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Large-scale campuses like this one require highly specialized construction expertise, particularly in power distribution, cooling systems and secure infrastructure.
For contractors tracking opportunities in the Midwest, the project signals sustained demand in the data center sector — often characterized by tight schedules, high technical requirements and significant capital investment.
With approvals now secured, the Joliet data center moves from planning into execution, setting the stage for one of the region’s most closely watched construction efforts in the coming years.
This article is based on reporting by Asal Rezaei, Todd Feurer and Marissa Sulek for CBS News Chicago. Read the original report here: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/joliet-city-council-approves-data-center/
