Community FAQ
Introduction
Welcome to the Sangamon County CyrusOne Data Center informational website. This page was created to provide residents with clear, factual information about the proposed CyrusOne data center and related community questions. Here you’ll find a comprehensive Q&A section featuring responses from Sangamon County officials, the project developer, the Springfield-Sangamon Growth Alliance, and local electric providers. The site also includes links to local news coverage, public documents, the schedule of upcoming public meetings, and a contact form where residents can submit additional questions. This website will be updated frequently as new information becomes available.
In addition to this online resource, the Sangamon County Board has scheduled a public hearing on December 3, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bank of Springfield Center. The hearing will feature a presentation in support of the project, a presentation outlining concerns, and an opportunity for residents to offer public comment. The goal is to ensure residents have multiple avenues - both online and in person - to learn about the proposal and share their feedback with the Board.
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.
At the bottom of this page, you will find 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.
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 has scheduled a dedicated public hearing on December 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bank of Springfield Center, giving residents the opportunity to receive information directly from CyrusOne, hear presentations both in support of and in opposition to the project, and provide public comment to the County Board. The County is coordinating with CyrusOne and other stakeholders to ensure the hearing includes detailed presentations on environmental, infrastructure, and economic considerations.
In addition to the December 3 hearing, residents have multiple regularly scheduled meetings where they can address the proposal or offer public comment throughout the review timeline. These include:
- November, December, and January Sangamon County Board meetings
- November and December Zoning & Land Use Committee meetings
- November and December Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) hearings
These existing public meetings, along with the December 3 hearing, provide several opportunities for residents to learn more about the proposal and share their feedback with County officials.
- 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/
We will continue to update this with new and relevant information as it becomes available.
- 11/10/2025 - Source: Sangamon County Government
What does the Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative (RECC) say about this project?
Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative (RECC), who will be delivering electric service to this project, has published their own FAQ addressing community questions: https://www.recc.coop/news-info/sangamon-county-data-center-your-questions-answered/
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Could this lead to a cluster of future data centers or technology facilities in the area?
Data centers sometimes locate near existing facilities, but the truth is that we do not know this early in the process whether this project would lead to additional data centers in this particular area.
Any future proposals would require their own review and would be evaluated individually under Sangamon County’s zoning and land-use procedures. The County retains full authority to consider cumulative impacts and public feedback when reviewing subsequent applications.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: Sangamon County
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 over 100 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
What will this project actually deliver to Sangamon County?
Here's what this campus means for the community:
- Nearly $500 million in capital investment
- Hundreds of construction jobs during development
- Permanent full-time careers once operational
- Ongoing property tax revenue supporting schools, fire protection, emergency services and other local priorities
- Increased business for local service providers—maintenance, security, specialized contractors and testing services
- Local hiring priority through Sangamon County's workforce programs
– 11/12/2025 - 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
Will this facility disrupt farmland or impact the environment? How do you acquire Land?
No. 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.
We work with landowners who choose to sell their properties. All land acquisitions are voluntary transactions with willing sellers. The site was strategically selected for its proximity to existing energy infrastructure, including the Double Black Diamond Solar Farm. This area already supports modern energy infrastructure, making it well-suited for complementary technology facilities without disrupting active agricultural operations.
We are entering into an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to ensure surrounding farmland isn't disturbed. We are working directly with Sangamon County to confirm that drainage from our campus doesn't affect neighboring properties.
The facility is designed to be a good neighbor with:
- Downward-facing lighting to preserve dark skies
- Noise mitigation through setbacks and acoustic design
- Minimal traffic once operational
- Landscaping to meet county standards
This demonstrates how modern infrastructure and agriculture can coexist while bringing economic value through job creation and tax revenue for schools and services.
– 11/12/2025 - 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
What are expected levels of noise, vibration, and light from the facility, and how far do they travel?
Noise will meet IPCB (Illinois Pollution Control Board) noise standards. Our facilities are designed to meet and exceed all local noise regulations. Our design team includes acoustic consultants who measure expected noise levels at property boundaries to ensure compliance before construction begins.
All lighting is directed downward with no uplighting, minimizing light pollution and preserving dark skies. Light spill beyond property boundaries is minimized through shielding and directional fixtures.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
What mitigation measures will be used for noise, vibration, or light?
Noise Mitigation:
- Sound-attenuated cooling equipment
- Sound-attenuated emergency backup generator enclosures
- Critical-grade exhaust silencers on emergency backup generators
- Strategic setbacks from property lines
- Acoustic barriers where needed
- Light Mitigation:
- All exterior lighting directed downward
- No uplighting
- Shielded fixtures to prevent light spill
- Design minimizes light pollution to preserve dark skies
Vibration:
- Data center operations do not generate significant vibration.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
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 for maintenance and testing purposes, and in rare cases of utility outages. If you have concerns once we're operational, contact us directly at communities@cyrusone.com.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
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
Will the facility use large amounts of water and strain local water supply?
No. We will use closed-loop cooling technology that minimizes water consumption. Our water usage will be comparable to a standard office building - primarily for restrooms and basic facility operations, not for cooling equipment. This air-cooling approach is standard across all CyrusOne facilities, which means we won't be drawing significant amounts of water from local supplies.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Are there risks of groundwater contamination from coolant systems or chemicals used?
No. The closed-loop cooling system is a sealed, self-contained system with no discharge to soil or septic system. The system uses water with corrosion inhibitors and microbiocides added to maintain system integrity. After application of these treatments, the system remains 99.999% water. All system fluids are managed by licensed contractors in accordance with EPA regulations. Any maintenance requiring fluid disposal is handled by certified vendors in full compliance with environmental regulations.
The site will use a septic system for non-cooling water discharge and will designed to meet all code requirements for protecting soil and groundwater quality.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
How much water will the data center use, and how will the closed-loop cooling system work?
We use closed-loop cooling technology that minimizes water consumption. Our water usage will be comparable to a standard office building - primarily for restrooms, basic facility operations, and humidification, not for cooling equipment. Each building is expected to use approximately 1,100 gallons per day on average.
A closed-loop cooling system is a self-contained system that continuously circulates water within the building to remove heat without mixing with the external environment. After the initial fill, there is no daily water usage for cooling since the system remains closed. A small amount of make-up water may be added periodically to account for minor evaporation.
This cooling approach is standard across all new CyrusOne facilities, which means we won't be drawing significant amounts of water from local supplies.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Will light pollution impact our community?
No. We use no uplighting - all lighting is directed downward toward the ground. Our design minimizes light pollution to preserve dark skies.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Will data center water use affect local water rates or availability?
No. Our water usage is comparable to a standard office building - approximately 1,100 gallons per day per building, primarily for restrooms, basic facility operations, and humidification. Our minimal water usage will not affect local water rates or availability.
– 11/12/2025 - 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
- 11/10/2025 - 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
How are data centers regulated?
Data centers are clean facilities that do not generate industrial pollutants or hazardous waste. The primary environmental considerations are:
- Backup generators that comply with EPA emission standards.
- Closed-loop cooling system uses water with corrosion inhibitors and microbiocides added to maintain system integrity. After application of these treatments, the system remains 99.999% water. All system fluids are managed by licensed contractors in accordance with EPA regulations.
- Sanitary wastewater (restrooms, sinks) handled through code-compliant septic systems
- All operations comply with applicable environmental regulations including EPA standards, Illinois EPA requirements, and local ordinances.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
What emissions will come from diesel backup generators, and how will they be regulated?
Backup generators use diesel fuel with modern emission controls. All testing, maintenance, and operational run times comply with EPA standards and limits. Generators are used infrequently - generally only used for required maintenance testing and in rare emergency backup situations. All emissions are regulated under EPA standards and state of Illinois air quality regulations.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
Are there health risks associated with data centers?
No. Data centers are clean facilities that do not generate industrial air pollution. The only emissions come from backup generators, which:
- Run only for maintenance testing and in rare emergency backup situations
- Comply with all EPA standards and state of Illinois air quality regulations
- Are comparable to emergency generators at hospitals, schools, and other critical facilities
The facility does not pose health risks to the surrounding community.
– 11/12/2025 - Source: CyrusOne – Sangamon County Community FAQ
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To Contact Us please use the Contact Us link and mention the Proposed CyrusOne Data Center in the message box.
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