The Sangamon County Board has approved a conditional use zoning permit for a $500 million data center in the southwest portion of the county.
The board voted 17-10 on Tuesday to approve the conditional use for CyrusOne in the project’s latest step.
Board member Tony DelGiorno reminded his colleagues before the vote that the board still has a voice in the center’s construction before approving a building permit.
Hundreds of residents filled the meeting room during the contentious meeting at Bank of Springfield Center, including union members who could be employed to build the center and dozens of others opposed to it.
The proposed site is in the district of board member Craig Hall, whose motion at the beginning of the meeting to postpone a vote until May failed.
CyrusOne President John Hatem said concerns about straining the power grid are unfounded.
Construction could begin as soon as this summer and take four to six years with 500 construction jobs and about 100 permanent jobs.
