Taylorville, IL (WAND) – Christian County residents packed the Taylorville High School cafeteria to hear directly from data center developer Eagle Rock about the proposed $8.8 billion data center.

Questions ranged from water usage to how the facility could affect local farmland.

“My hope and my prayer is that this doesn’t divide the community and that people make an informed decision,” said Eagle Rock partner Ken Loeber.

For some residents, the data center would be too close to where they live. Even Loeber said he understands those concerns.

“Someone asked me a couple weeks ago, ‘Would you want to live across the street?’ And I respect that. I wouldn’t, but there is a greater good,” Loeber said.

The owner of Big “M” Patch is concerned about the impact the project could have on a business that has been in the family for generations.

“We would be within half a mile of it. We raise specialty crops, which are part of our agritourism business, and they’re very sensitive to many aspects of nature. If I didn’t live on a 150-year-old family farm and the data center was located there, I’d probably move away, but I’m here,” owner Mel Repscher said.

Board members also questioned lawsuits against Eagle Rock in other states, including Georgia. Loeber said the company is not at fault in any of those cases.

Supporters said the project could bring significant economic growth to the area. Some county officials admitted they are not sure where they stand yet on the project.

For now, they said they are gathering information about the potential data center.