Granite City Residents Pack Forum to Press Officials About Data Center Proposal
Date Posted: February 10, 2026
Posted In: Discussion, Projects,
From Belleville News-Democrat: A standing-room-only crowd of nearly 300 people packed The Mill community center in Granite City last week to get information on a controversial proposal to allow a tech company to build a data center.
Opinions were plentiful and divided. Trade union leaders spoke in favor of the facility, touting it as a job creator and economic development tool. Other residents expressed concerns about utility costs, environmental impacts and transparency.
Several speakers questioned whether the project was a “done deal,” noting that city officials appeared to have been laying groundwork without public input. One suggested placing a referendum on the ballot.
Chris Hankins, business manager and financial secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 309 in Collinsville, praised those in attendance for asking thoughtful questions and listening to differing viewpoints respectfully.
“Everybody here wants the same thing,” he said. “We want to see Granite City prosper again.”
Hankins said data centers will be built in the United States regardless, and Granite City should reap benefits in the form of property tax revenue and other community contributions that could be negotiated.
Resident Taylor Wyatt disagrees. She said data centers are not retail or manufacturing facilities that bring many permanent jobs, do not increase tourism or foot traffic, rarely create secondary businesses and often raise water and electric bills.
“What economic value will this bring to Granite City?” she asked.