Design and Construction Report staff writer
After months of debate, a proposal to build what could be the largest data center in Illinois was approved by Joliet City Council last week.
The Joliet Technology Center, a 795-acre development will be built on farmland near Rowell and Bernhard Roads, a site large enough to fit eight football stadiums the size of Soldier Field.
It’s great news for local skilled tradespeople.
“I believe that the Joliet technology center will be a great project for the Will Grundy building Trades members 8600 jobs for five years is huge,” Doc Gregory, president, Will Grundy Building Trades Council, told Chicago Construction News on Monday. “It is a great project that will provide 700 permanent jobs that pay six figures and also will pay $2.4 billion in taxes to the City of Joliet on top of Hillwood powerhouse giving Joliet $100 million to upgrade any kind of sidewalks lighting whatever the city chooses to do with the money to make things better in the City of Joliet.
Gregory says the city has not had a project of similar magnitude for over 30 years when the Braidwood Nuclear Station was built.
“It’s a win-win situation for the city and for the well Grundy Building Trades and I look forward to breaking ground and getting our people to work.”
All but one member of the council voted in favor of the plan, including Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy.
“This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way,” said Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty. “It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and long-term financial benefits for the community.”
Gregory and more than 100 union members attended a public hearing two weeks ago, several voicing their support for the project while hundreds of residents urged the council to reject the plan.
