Building Urbana's Digital Future
A $1 Billion private investment bringing jobs, tax revenue, and sustainable infrastructure to the Urbana community
$1 Billion+
Private capital into our local economy
$50M
Direct payments to the City of Urbana
Millions
In annual tax revenue for Urbana City Schools and other public services
The facility is a single-story design, approximately 40' tall, featuring significant setbacks and natural berms to limit visibility from Rte. 68.
Facts vs. Fiction: Dispelling Myths
“My electric bill will go up because of the data center.”
No. The site was chosen because the grid has existing transmission capacity. The end-user will pay for all necessary grid and transmission upgrades.
Daytime noise is 65 dB (like light traffic); nighttime is 55 dB. This is consistent with or quieter than current traffic at the Rte. 55/68 intersection. This is significantly lower than typical industrial uses.
No. The facility uses a closed-loop cooling system that minimizes consumption. After the initial fill, there is no daily water usage for cooling since the system remains closed. Usage is comparable to a standard office building.
Data centers are clean. The only emissions come from emergency backup generators that comply with all EPA and state air quality regulations.
Operations traffic is low (30–40 vehicles for staff). We are offering to build a new loop road to actually reduce existing congestion.
The project uses no uplighting. All lighting is directed downward to preserve the community's dark skies.
The developer has conducted an environmental study by a local engineering firm that details the exact flow of the runoff. No runoff will impact the bog.
Project Details & Location
What is a data center?
- A data center is the physical foundation of the digital world. While we often think of "the cloud" as something abstract, it is actually a network of highly secure buildings that house the hardware required to store, process, and distribute the world’s information.
- If you use an app, stream a video, or save a file online, that data is living on a physical disk inside one of these facilities.
- These buildings house everything, from family photos and memes to information critical to national security and infrastrcture, data centers power our modern world.
Site Layout
- Footprint: ~460,000 sq. ft.
- Location: NW side of the property, adjacent to the Rittal facility at the corner of Rte. 55 and Rte. 68.
- Construction: 1,000+ construction jobs lasting several years, with a commitment to local trades.
Economic Benefits
Local Schools
City Services
Job Creation
Infrastructure
FAQ
We have compiled detailed answers to address specific questions for the Urbana Technology Hub.
Regulations
Water
Noise and Light
Electric and the Grid
Community Benefits
Site Selection and General Information
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