Sangamon County Data Center Community FAQ
Introduction
Sangamon County is developing a dedicated informational website to provide residents with clear, factual information about the proposed CyrusOne data center and related community questions. The site will feature a comprehensive Q&A section with responses provided by Sangamon County officials, the project developer, the Springfield-Sangamon Growth Alliance, and local electric providers. It will also include links to local news articles, public documents, and a contact form where residents can submit additional questions. The County will respond directly when possible and distribute other questions to the appropriate organization best suited to provide an accurate answer.
While the full informational website is being completed, Sangamon County has launched this temporary page to share available information with residents. This page includes initial questions and answers from the County, the developer, the Growth Alliance, and electric providers. The full website is set to launch by November 14th.
Sangamon County is collecting community questions about the proposed CyrusOne data center project and working with relevant organizations to provide clear, accurate answers. As additional data, studies, and feedback become available, these responses may be revised or expanded to reflect the most current information. The County’s goal is to ensure transparency and keep the public informed throughout the review and development process.
General Project Overview
What is a data center and who is CyrusOne?
A data center is a physical facility that stores and processes the data behind everything digital. Every time you use your smartphone, stream a movie, connect with a doctor via telehealth, or rely on emergency services, that information travels through a data center. CyrusOne is a leading global data center owner, developer and operator with over 55 data centers across the United States, Europe, and Japan. We have multiple facilities operating and under development in Illinois, representing over $1.2 billion in infrastructure investment.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Will CyrusOne or the County hold a large public hearing for public questions and answers?
Sangamon County is planning an additional public hearing for residents to ask questions and receive information directly from CyrusOne. The County is coordinating with the company and other stakeholders to participate and provide detailed presentations on environmental, infrastructure, and economic considerations. Details will be announced publicly as they are finalized to ensure maximum participation.
In addition, residents currently have at least seven formal public meetings available to address the proposal during the review timeline, including:
- November, December, and January County Board meetings
- November and December Zoning & Land Use Committee meetings
- November and December Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) hearings
- 11/10/2025
Source: Sangamon County Government
Can the County Board impose a 180-day moratorium on the data center project to allow more time for study and public input?
The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office is researching whether the County Board has legal authority to impose a temporary moratorium on data center projects.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Sangamon County Government
Where can I find more information about this project?
The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance has many news articles and publications linked on their site here: https://www.thriveinspi.org/news-and-events/newsroom/.
More information can be found at Cyrusone’s and RECC’s FAQs on this project linked here: https://www.cyrusone.com/sangamon-county-community-faq and here: https://www.recc.coop/news-info/sangamon-county-data-center-your-questions-answered/
- 11/10/2025
Source: Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative – Data Center FAQ
Economic and Tax Impacts
What is the projected property-tax benefit, and how will the County ensure the company doesn’t appeal its tax assessments later?
The data center is expected to generate a significant long-term property-tax benefit for local taxing districts, including North Mac schools, and area fire and library districts. While the exact value will depend on final construction costs and equipment investment, early estimates indicate the annual property-tax contribution could reach several million dollars once the facility is fully operational.
Under Illinois law, all commercial property owners have the right to appeal assessments through the Board of Review or the state’s Property Tax Appeal Board. The County cannot waive or restrict those rights, but it can ensure accurate, transparent assessment practices through coordination with the Supervisor of Assessments and by maintaining open communication with the company regarding valuation methods and reporting requirements.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Sangamon County Government
What benefits will the community see? Will this facility generate new jobs and local tax revenue?
This project will bring significant benefits to the community—a capital investment exceeding $500 million, hundreds of construction jobs, permanent full-time employment opportunities, and ongoing property tax revenue for schools, fire departments, and emergency services. We're committed to prioritizing local workers and contractors through Sangamon County's workforce.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
How many permanent jobs will the data center create?
Once fully operational, the data center is expected to create 55 permanent full-time jobs, in addition to hundreds of temporary construction jobs during the buildout phase.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Farmland and Community Character
What are the potential impacts on farmland and rural character?
We selected this site to avoid disrupting agricultural operations. The facility is designed to be a good neighbor with minimal environmental impact. Traffic will be minimal once operational. Our site's proximity to the Double Black Diamond Solar Farm represents the kind of strategic energy infrastructure development that benefits Sangamon County. This project, combined with renewable energy resources in the region, demonstrates how modern infrastructure and agriculture can coexist while bringing significant economic value to the community through job creation, tax revenue for schools and services, and long-term investment in the area. We're entering into an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to ensure surrounding farmland isn't disturbed. We're working directly with Sangamon County to confirm drainage from our campus doesn't affect neighboring properties. Additionally, this site is situated adjacent to the existing Double Black Diamond Solar facility and isn’t located near any residential areas.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Electric Infrastructure and Power
How will the 600 MW power demand affect the local Ameren grid and local electricity rates?
Will the data center strain the local power grid or cause my electric bill to increase? No, residential and commercial customers will not see their electric bills increase because of this data center. We selected this site specifically because the grid already has available transmission capacity to serve the data center. CyrusOne will pay for all transmission line upgrades and infrastructure improvements required to power this facility—residents will not pay for these upgrades. We will enter into agreements with Ameren Illinois and the Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative that ensure we pay for the electricity we use and our fair share of grid costs.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Will the data center cause blackouts or brownouts in the area?
No. This data center development and its added electricity demand were thoroughly reviewed against the connecting system from Ameren Transmission, as well as by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) regional planning group. For this project, both groups confirmed that no reliability issues or transmission planning concerns were found.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative – Data Center FAQ
Will the facility generate its own electricity or rely solely on the local grid?
The data center will rely on the existing Ameren Illinois and RECC electric grid. We will enter into agreements with Ameren Illinois and the Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative that ensure we pay for the electricity we use and our fair share of grid costs.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Why would RECC want data centers as members?
RECC provides electricity to any approved member, including commercial and industrial businesses. Data centers use a lot of electricity consistently, which brings in extra revenue. This helps cover system costs and keeps rates stable for all members in the long run.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative – Data Center FAQ
Noise, Light, and Vibration
What are expected levels of noise, vibration, and light from the facility, and how far do they travel?
Data centers are generally quiet facilities. Backup generators are tested for 10–15 hours per year for maintenance purposes and are housed in sound-attenuated enclosures. There will be no uplighting at the facility. Lighting will be limited, directed downward, and used only as needed for safety and security.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Noise levels measured at the property line shall not exceed fifty (50) decibels when located adjacent to an existing residence or residential district. Lighting shall be shielded and downcast such that it does not spill onto adjacent parcels.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Sangamon County Government
What mitigation measures will be used for noise, vibration, or light?
Backup generators are housed in sound-attenuated enclosures, and testing is limited to 10–15 hours per year. Lighting will be limited, directed downward, and used only as needed for safety and security. There will be no uplighting at the facility.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Lighting will be shielded and downcast to prevent light from spilling onto neighboring parcels. Noise levels may not exceed fifty (50) decibels at the property line when near residential areas. The project must also conform to applicable industry standards, including those from the Underwriters Laboratory (UL), to minimize vibration and operational noise.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Sangamon County Government
Can we expect there to be noise from your data center?
Our cooling systems and emergency generators are designed to meet and exceed noise regulations. We use low-noise fans, sound-attenuated compressor enclosures, sound-attenuated generator enclosures, and critical grade exhaust silencers on our generators. Backup generators run only 10–15 hours per year for maintenance and testing purposes, and in rare cases of utility outages.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Noise levels will be actively monitored to ensure they remain within the fifty (50) decibel limit at the property line near residential areas. Both Sangamon County and the State of Illinois will enforce compliance with these standards, and the facility is required to adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal codes.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Sangamon County Government
Water Use and Environmental Protection
How much water will the data center use, how will the closed-loop cooling system work, and are there any risks to groundwater or local water availability?
The facility will use a closed-loop air-cooled system, meaning the same water is used repeatedly and very little is lost. The amount of water used will be comparable to that of a typical office building.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Air Quality and Health
What emissions will come from diesel backup generators, and how will they be regulated?
Backup generators are tested for 10–15 hours per year for maintenance purposes and are housed in sound-attenuated enclosures. CyrusOne has stated that backup generators will run for short periods each year for maintenance and are designed to meet required environmental and noise standards.
- 11/10/2025
Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Source: Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative – Data Center FAQ
Could the facility’s operation contribute to local air pollution or health risks?
CyrusOne has stated that backup generators will run for short periods each year for maintenance and are designed to meet required environmental and noise standards.
- 11/10/2025
Source: Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative – Data Center FAQ
Data-Center
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