$33 Million a Year
for Rockford Schools.
A proposed $12 billion data center that delivers 1,480 jobs, $60M in annual taxes, and $1.1 billion for education over 20 years — on land already zoned for industry.
The Opportunity
Why Rockford Needs This
Rockford faces real economic challenges. This project directly addresses them.
Rockford Today
Highest Unemployment in Illinois
State average is 4.9%. Rockford has the worst rate in the state.
Below-Average Household Income
Median household income falls below the Illinois state average.
Metro Area Seeking Economic Growth
A region that needs high-paying career opportunities.
What This Project Delivers
Average Salary — 90% Above Median
200 direct jobs paying $52K-$155K. Real careers, not minimum wage.
Annual Funding for Schools
57% of $60M in taxes goes directly to school districts. $1.1B over 20 years.
Total Permanent Jobs (6.4x Multiplier)
Plus 1,200-1,700 construction workers over 4-5 years at $70K/yr.
This land has been zoned I-2 industrial since 2008. It will be developed for industry — the question is which industry. A data center is the cleanest, highest-paying, highest-tax-revenue option available.
Research Summary
Key Findings from 9 Independent Reports
Every number on this site is sourced from detailed research covering water, electricity, air quality, noise, pollution, taxes, jobs, land use, and common claims.
Total tax revenue over 20 years
total construction payroll — 1,200-1,700 workers over 4-5 years
Construction detailsLand Use Comparison
What Could This Land Become?
This 1,100-acre site is zoned I-2 Heavy Industrial. Here's how a data center compares to other permitted uses.
Data Center
- Clean operations, zero emissions in normal ops
- $60M/yr in tax revenue
- 200+ permanent jobs at $95K avg
- Minimal traffic impact
Chemical Plant
- Hazardous air emissions
- $15–20M/yr in tax revenue
- Potential chemical spills
- 24/7 heavy truck traffic
Metal Fabrication
- Air & noise pollution
- $8–12M/yr in tax revenue
- Hazardous waste generation
- Heavy industrial traffic
All three are legally permitted on this I-2 industrial zoned land. The question isn't whether this land will be developed — it's how.
Tax Distribution
Where $60 Million in Annual Taxes Goes
Schools receive the largest share — over $33 million per year. Every dollar stays local.
Where Your Tax Dollars Go
$60 Million in Annual Property Tax Revenue
Myth vs. Fact
What You've Heard vs. What the Data Shows
Quick answers to the most common concerns. Click through for full analysis with sources.
"It will drain our water"
Uses 7.5% of capacity. System has 58% surplus.
"Only a handful of jobs"
1,480 total jobs. $95K average salary. Plus 1,700 construction.
"They don't pay taxes"
$60M/year. Highest tax per acre of any development type.
"It will be incredibly noisy"
40-45 dB at nearest home. Quieter than rainfall.
"It will lower property values"
Columbus: 5x appreciation. Salt Lake: 8x. Better schools = higher values.
"Environmental disaster"
Zero emissions in normal ops. Cleanest I-2 use possible.
With key facts, full context, and suggested responses for each claim
Deep Dives
Explore the Full Research
Every claim is backed by data. Click into any topic for interactive charts, detailed analysis, and sourced findings.
Economic Impact
$60M/yr tax revenue — $33M to schools
1,480 jobs — $95K average salary
$200-400M annual GDP contribution
Environmental Profile
Zero emissions during normal operations
90-95% of water returned in closed-loop
800 MW with co-located generation
Community Impact
40-45 dB at nearest home (quieter than rain)
0.65% of county farmland — zoned since 2008
5-8x property value appreciation nearby
Fact Check
12 claims analyzed with evidence
4 debunked — 7 need context — 1 unverifiable
Full rebuttals with suggested responses
FAQ
Common Questions, Straight Answers
Every answer is backed by data from 9 independent research reports.
Will the data center drain our water supply?
No. Rockford's water system has 23.3 million gallons per day of surplus capacity. The data center needs only 3 MGD at peak — just 7.5% of total capacity. With modern closed-loop cooling, this drops to under 1 MGD, and 90-95% of water is returned. The system would still have 20+ MGD of surplus.
Read the full analysis Will this raise my electricity bill?
No. The Illinois POWER Act specifically prohibits cost-shifting from data centers to residential ratepayers. Any grid upgrades are paid for by the developer, not your utility bill. Additionally, the project generates much of its own power on-site through a co-located generation model.
Read the full analysis How many jobs will this actually create?
200 direct permanent jobs with an average salary of $95,000 — 90% above Rockford's median income. The 6.4x employment multiplier creates ~1,280 additional jobs in retail, restaurants, healthcare, and services — totaling ~1,480 permanent positions. Plus 1,200-1,700 construction workers earning $70K/year over 4-5 years.
Read the full analysis Won't it be incredibly noisy?
No. Virginia noise complaints come from facilities built 200 feet from homes. This 1,100-acre site provides 0.5+ mile setbacks (13x greater). At that distance, noise drops to 40-45 dB — quieter than moderate rainfall and well below WHO limits. The adjacent airport already produces 70-90 dB continuously.
Read the full analysis Do data centers pay their fair share in taxes?
More than their fair share. $60 million annually — the highest tax revenue per acre of any development type ($8-12K vs. residential at $200-500). Over $33M/year goes directly to schools. In Loudoun County, VA, data centers pay 38% of the general fund from just 4% of parcels. State incentives don't reduce local property taxes.
Read the full analysis What about PFAS 'forever chemicals'?
A legitimate concern that deserves transparency. Some cooling systems use PFAS compounds, but this isn't unique to data centers — PFAS is in cookware, clothing, and food packaging. Major tech companies are actively transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives. Development agreements should require PFAS-free technology and groundwater monitoring.
Read the full analysis Doesn't this destroy productive farmland?
The land has been zoned I-2 industrial since 2008 — it was designated for industrial development 15+ years ago, not converted from protected farmland. The 1,100 acres is less than 0.65% of county farmland. Property owners are selling voluntarily at above-market prices. Surrounding farms are unaffected.
Read the full analysis Will it lower my property value?
Evidence shows the opposite. Columbus, OH saw 5x appreciation near data centers; Salt Lake County saw 8x. The mechanism is straightforward: $60M in taxes improves schools and services — the #1 driver of property values. The facility is in an industrial zone with 0.5+ mile setbacks from residential areas.
Read the full analysisThe Data Is Clear
$60 million in annual taxes. $33 million for schools. 1,480 jobs at $95K average. Zero emissions. On land zoned for industry since 2008.
The question isn't whether this land will be developed — it's whether Rockford chooses the cleanest, highest-paying, highest-revenue option available.