Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – An official with Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance is trying to defend plans for a $500 million data center campus planned for the county.

Abby Powell is Director of Business Development for SSGA and recently told the Sangamon County Board last week despite public opposition in large part, and once union labor builds the plant, to be owned by CyrusOne, the number of jobs that will be created isn’t insignificant.

“Once completed, the data center is expected to support 100 permanent full-time jobs, along with an estimated 350 additional indirect and induced jobs,” said Powell.

Powell says they are jobs that will support the economy.  Some opposed say that’s not enough, and it’s likely some of those jobs are more custodial.  Other opposed residents continue to express concern about the impact data centers have had on the power grid, and what such a facility may mean for utility rates.  Others questioned CyrusOne’s trustworthiness.

At least one resident thinks the deal may fly in the face of the 26 calls to action contained in the recent Massey Commission report, which also was presented to the county board last week.

“(It may not follow) meeting the requirements of Massey Commission call to action number 21 with this proposed data center,” said Don Hanrahan, resident and retired attorney.  “CyrusOne claims it’s not requesting any property tax abatement.  That’s unenforceable.  What if they apply for certification as a mega project under proposed legislation that freezes the assessed value at pre-development rates?”

Massey Commission Call to Action number 21 states, “Prioritize additive job creation ending corporate incentives, and expanding workforce training for marginalized residents.”

But, not long after a recent public hearing on the proposed project, one resident chose instead to express concern about what the project represents.

“Considering three years ago no one knew what a data center was, it’s important to point out that the data center explosion, just in the last few years, is literally tied to a tech bro fatasy of birthing a god-like ASI [sic],” said resident Ethan Manning.

The data center project is expected to be voted on by the Sangamon County Board in January.