Mike Hammett

How things actually work.

Tag: Op-Ed

  • Balancing Growth: How Yorkville’s Data Centers Strengthen Our Community

    This or a similar version was submitted to multiple outlets including Kendall County Now on October 29, 2025.

    Yorkville is growing fast, and with that growth come tough questions about water bills, schools, and the kind of community we want to be. The two proposed data-center campuses – Project Cardinal and Project Steel – show how smart planning can turn big-ticket developments into local benefits.

    Together, these projects would invest more than a billion dollars across about 1,500 acres on the city’s west side. The City Council has approved the overall plans, but final zoning won’t take effect until developers sign separate utility and development agreements next year. That means every commitment – roads, utilities, and payments – must be spelled out before construction begins.

    The good news for residents is simple: developers pay, residents don’t. Both companies are funding their own off-site work, including a $231,000 engineering study, new roundabouts, and the water-system improvements needed to serve the sites. None of it comes from local tax dollars.

    Water use, a common concern, is well within capacity. Project Cardinal is projected to use about 350,000 gallons a day and Project Steel about 130,000 – together less than 10 percent of Yorkville’s future Lake Michigan supply. City Administrator Bart Olson confirmed the pipeline was already financed before these projects appeared. Their steady demand actually helps spread those costs, taking pressure off everyone else’s water bills once the system is online.

    Schools are another area where these projects can help. District 115 is facing crowding, portable classrooms, and roughly $45 million in debt. Data centers add a large, stable tax base without adding students, meaning more dollars for education and fewer new expenses.

    Residents have raised valid questions about noise, traffic, and farmland loss. Yorkville’s agreements already require eight-foot berms, landscaping, strict height limits, quiet equipment, and continuous noise monitoring for the next 20 years. Developers will realign roads and designate truck routes to keep heavy vehicles out of neighborhoods. Concentrating large projects along major corridors helps preserve open land elsewhere and reduces the kind of sprawl that drives long-term costs higher.

    Other communities are noticing. Plano has a 500-acre Microsoft site under study, and another 230-acre CyrusOne campus is planned east of Eldamain Road. Altogether, more than 3,000 acres of potential data-center land are in motion across Kendall County. The region is becoming part of Illinois’s new digital-infrastructure corridor – and Yorkville’s deliberate, transparent process is setting the standard.

    Every project changes the landscape, but this one brings the resources to strengthen what matters most: our schools, our water system, and our financial stability. When development pays its own way and the community sets the rules up front, everyone benefits.

    Mike Hammett has worked in Internet and network infrastructure for more than 20 years and lives in DeKalb County. He has no financial interest in any current Kendall County proposal.

  • What DeKalb’s Experience Shows About Data Centers and Community Growth

    This or a similar version was submitted to multiple outlets including the Daily Chronicle on October 29, 2025.

    Data Centers, Power, and Progress: What DeKalb’s Experience Really Shows

    In recent years, data centers have sparked debate in many Illinois communities. Concerns about water, noise, and energy are understandable – but so is the opportunity. Here in DeKalb, we’ve already seen what responsible planning can accomplish: a stronger, more stable community.

    Meta’s DeKalb Data Center represents a $1 billion investment that created over 1,200 construction jobs and now supports around 200 full-time positions. Since opening, Meta has provided more than $1 million in community grants supporting local schools, food programs, and nonprofits – real benefits residents can see and feel.

    Real Fiscal Impact

    The campus has added over $100 million in equalized assessed value (EAV) to DeKalb’s tax base. Even under its 20-year, 55 percent Enterprise Zone abatement, roughly half of that value is already taxed – and when the agreement expires, the full amount will stay on the rolls for decades.

    That growth has strengthened funding for DeKalb School District 428, the city, and the park district, while allowing local taxing bodies to reduce their property-tax rates and still increase revenue. As a homeowner myself, I’ve seen my own tax rate fall thanks to that expanding base. It’s a rare case of major development that actually lightens the load on existing taxpayers.

    Addressing Common Concerns

    Noise: Modern data centers are quiet neighbors. Backup generators run only for brief, scheduled tests and are enclosed within acoustic barriers and landscaped setbacks that make them inaudible beyond a few hundred yards.

    Water: Water use at the site is governed by city service agreements and reported under confidentiality. While specific figures aren’t public, Meta has committed to become “water positive by 2030,” restoring more water to the environment than it consumes. The company advances that goal through efficiency improvements, use of non-potable sources where feasible, and watershed-restoration projects verified by independent environmental partners. For perspective, the facility’s draw is modest compared with what a manufacturing or food-processing plant of similar scale would require.

    The Power Question

    Large facilities do use substantial electricity – but they also bring investment that benefits everyone. The Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE), a 345-kilovolt transmission upgrade, now anchors stronger electric service for the DeKalb region. It was designed to handle both today’s needs and future growth, improving reliability for homes, farms, and businesses alike.

    We already share the cost of regional electricity whether new data centers are built here or somewhere else – that’s how the PJM Interconnection, a 13-state grid, works. Hosting them locally lets us keep the tax base, jobs, and infrastructure upgrades here at home.

    Following Facts, Not Fears

    Recent debate has revisited familiar worries – noise, water, property values, and transparency. Those same fears were raised before Meta built here, and every measurable outcome since then has proven them wrong. The facility is quiet, efficient, and visually unobtrusive, and it has strengthened rather than strained local finances.

    It’s easy for misinformation to spread when projects involve technical details, but the facts are straightforward: DeKalb has already proven that responsible, large-scale development can fit comfortably within the community’s character. We shouldn’t let unsupported claims or online speculation steer future decisions.

    Looking Ahead

    The recent City Council decision to turn down a smaller proposal on Peace Road shows that DeKalb’s review process works – we evaluate projects carefully, not automatically. DeKalb’s growth has come on local terms, through zoning, enterprise agreements, and oversight that keep decisions in the hands of our own elected boards.

    My hope is that future proposals meet those same proven standards that made this one succeed. DeKalb has shown what responsible growth looks like: thoughtful, fact-based, and accountable to residents.

    A Local Perspective

    I live here in DeKalb County and work in Internet and communications infrastructure – the systems that move data between homes, businesses, and the online services people rely on every day. My work gives me a front-row seat to how these facilities operate and how they quietly support the digital life we all depend on. I have no financial stake in any current projects – only a stake in our community’s success.

    From where I sit, the lesson is clear: responsible data-center development has already made DeKalb stronger – and, done right, it can continue to do so. With facts, transparency, and steady planning, we can welcome growth that benefits every resident.

    Mike Hammett has worked in Internet and communications infrastructure for over two decades and lives in DeKalb County. He has no financial interest in any current data-center proposals. Readers can connect with him on LinkedIn.

  • Rochelle Can Grow Smartly – What DeKalb’s Data Centers Teach Us

    This or a similar version was submitted to multiple outlets including the Rochelle News-Leader on October 24, 2025.

    Data Centers, Power, and Progress: Lessons from DeKalb’s Experience

    Rochelle stands at the doorstep of another wave of technology investment: data centers. Questions about water, energy, and neighborhood impact are natural – but so are the opportunities. Just to our east, DeKalb’s experience shows what happens when these projects are planned with transparency and balance.

    Meta’s DeKalb campus brought more than $1 billion in private investment, 1,200 construction jobs, and about 200 permanent positions. The city’s equalized assessed value rose by more than one-third in a single year, allowing both the city and park district to cut their tax rates by over 20 percent while maintaining services. Those changes stabilized bills for residents today and built a stronger revenue base for tomorrow. For a community like Rochelle – with its own municipal utility and a long record of industrial stewardship – that’s a model worth studying.

    Quiet neighbors. Rochelle already hosts data centers for Allstate, Northern Trust, and Rochelle Municipal Utilities. They’ve operated quietly and responsibly for more than a decade. Backup generators run only for brief tests or emergencies, and sound enclosures keep noise below residential levels.

    Water and environment. Modern facilities focus on efficiency and reuse rather than continuous draw. Major operators have pledged to be water-positive by 2030 – restoring more water to local ecosystems than they consume through reclaimed-water and watershed projects. Preliminary figures discussed publicly place daily use in the tens of thousands of gallons – comparable to other industrial facilities already active in Rochelle’s business parks, such as food processors and distribution centers. Unlike those operations, many data centers can recycle cooling water or switch to air-cooled systems in cooler months.

    Power and rates. Northern Illinois is served by ComEd as part of the PJM regional grid, which balances electricity supply and demand across 13 states. When demand rises anywhere in that system, capacity prices tend to rise for all utilities – including Rochelle’s. If we already share those regional cost trends, it makes sense to welcome balanced local projects that bring jobs, tax base, and infrastructure improvements in return.

    The proposed load discussed for Rochelle – around 50 megawatts – sounds large but fits comfortably within the city’s available capacity. Rochelle Municipal Utilities already serves major manufacturers, rail operations, and cold-storage facilities whose combined demand is of similar scale. A data center would join that mix as another managed industrial customer, not an unprecedented burden.

    Rochelle’s municipal generation gives it a unique advantage. By “peak-shaving” – running local units during the most expensive hours – RMU lowers costs for everyone on its system. RMU Superintendent Blake Toliver has explained that large special-contract customers procure their own energy, and the utility uses market hedging to shield residential rates. Its wholesale-power contract locks in rate stability through 2029, and any new facility would operate under terms that protect ratepayers, according to City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh.

    Meanwhile, ComEd’s Kishwaukee Area Reliability Expansion (KARE) project is strengthening the shared backbone between Afton Township and the lines serving Rochelle – investments that improve reliability for homes, schools, and businesses alike.

    Planning responsibly. Rochelle has decades of experience balancing industrial growth with community quality of life. The same principles apply here:

    • Commission independent noise and water studies.
    • Maintain scaled setbacks and visual buffers.
    • Be transparent about who funds and maintains utility extensions.

    As City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh has said, the city won’t recruit a project that doesn’t benefit the community. That openness is exactly what builds trust.

    Most reputable developers already meet or exceed these standards. The key is open communication so residents understand both the real impacts and the real benefits.

    As someone who works in Internet and data-center infrastructure right here in Northern Illinois, I have no financial interest in Rochelle’s proposals – only an interest in seeing our region thrive. DeKalb’s success proves that data centers can be quiet neighbors, strong taxpayers, and partners in sustainability. With clear planning and public understanding, Rochelle can do the same – turning cautious curiosity into confident, well-managed growth.

    A longer version of this column, with full source citations and supporting documents, will be posted on my LinkedIn page.

    Mike Hammett has worked in Internet and data-center infrastructure for more than 20 years and lives in DeKalb County. He has no financial interest in any current data-center proposals.

  • Aurora’s Path to Smart Growth – Lessons from DeKalb’s Data-Center Success

    This or a similar version was submitted to multiple outlets including the Aurora Beacon-News on October 23, 2025.

    Data Centers, Power, and Progress: What Aurora Can Learn from DeKalb

    Aurora earned its name as “The City of Lights” by pioneering electric streetlights more than a century ago – a reminder that forward-thinking investment can shape a city’s future. That same forward-looking spirit continues today as Aurora considers proposals for new data-center developments along the I-88 corridor.

    These projects have raised familiar questions about energy use, water demand, and neighborhood impact. Just 25 miles west, DeKalb’s Meta Data Center shows how those concerns can be addressed responsibly.

    The DeKalb site represents more than $1 billion in private investment, employed over 1,200 skilled tradespeople during construction, and now supports roughly 200 long-term jobs. Since 2021, Meta has contributed more than $1.2 million to local schools and nonprofits, helping classrooms and community programs alike.

    That campus also added over $100 million to DeKalb’s tax base, allowing the city and park district to lower tax rates while expanding services. The result is a stronger, more stable foundation for residents – exactly the kind of balance Aurora seeks as it grows.

    Addressing Common Concerns

    Quiet operations: Modern data centers are built to blend into their surroundings. Backup generators test briefly each month, and with setbacks, berms, and sound barriers, noise seldom carries beyond the property line. Aurora already hosts several such facilities that have operated quietly for years – proof that technology and livability can coexist.

    Water efficiency: Meta designs its facilities to minimize water use and has committed to being water-positive by 2030, meaning it will restore more water to regional watersheds than it consumes through verified conservation projects. These are measurable, not marketing, commitments – and they set a standard any new developer should meet.

    Community feedback: Some Aurora residents have voiced concerns about noise, vibration, or infrastructure strain near existing data centers. The city is addressing those issues through its current moratorium and updated code review. It’s worth noting that, compared with traditional manufacturing or logistics uses, data centers are among the cleanest and quietest forms of industrial development – producing little traffic, minimal emissions, and steady tax revenue without day-to-day disruption.

    Energy and the Regional Grid

    Northern Illinois is part of the PJM Interconnection, a 13-state power market that shares both generation and cost. Whether large campuses rise in Illinois, Ohio, or Virginia, PJM’s wholesale prices move together. Since our region already contributes to those costs, it makes sense to keep the jobs, tax base, and infrastructure investment here at home.

    Aurora already benefits from a strong and diverse regional transmission network, providing reliable capacity for residents and businesses alike – an advantage that many nearby communities envy.

    Planning Responsibly

    Aurora’s current pause on new data-center approvals is an opportunity to learn from nearby communities. A moratorium doesn’t mean “no”; it means “not yet – at least not without the right standards.” By using this time to refine requirements for energy, water, and community benefit, Aurora can emerge stronger and more prepared than peers who rushed ahead.

    The city can further build confidence by requiring:

    • Independent water and noise studies,
    • Thoughtful setbacks and landscaping, and
    • Transparency on who funds infrastructure improvements.

    Most reputable developers already meet these expectations. With facts on the table, discussion turns from fear to balance – focusing on how growth can serve both community and economy.

    A Local Perspective

    I live in DeKalb County and work in Internet and data-center infrastructure. I have no financial stake in any Aurora proposals – only a desire to see our region grow responsibly and sustainably.

    DeKalb’s experience proves that technology growth, when planned with foresight, can strengthen both communities and public services. Aurora has every opportunity to follow that path – continuing its legacy as The City of Lights by leading with balance, sustainability, and innovation in the digital age.

    Mike Hammett has worked in Internet and data-center infrastructure for more than two decades and lives in DeKalb County. He has no financial interest in any current data-center proposals. Readers can connect with him on LinkedIn.

  • Batavia Can Grow Smartly – What DeKalb’s Data Centers Teach Us

    This or a similar version was submitted to multiple outlets including the Kane County Chronicle on October 22, 2025.

    Planning for Progress – What Batavia Can Learn from DeKalb

    Across northern Illinois, communities are deciding how to handle a new wave of digital-infrastructure investment. Batavia is one of them. The pending Hut 8 data-center proposal has prompted questions about power, water, and neighborhood impact – all fair concerns.

    Just west of here, DeKalb’s Meta Data Center faced similar questions and shows what responsible planning can accomplish. Meta invested over $1 billion, employed more than 1,200 construction workers, and supports about 200 full-time jobs. Since 2021, it has awarded over $1.2 million in grants to local schools and nonprofits and committed to be water-positive by 2030 – restoring more water to local ecosystems than it consumes.

    According to DeKalb County officials, Meta’s 2024 assessment added about $103 million to the county’s taxable base, helping lower the property-tax rate while maintaining services. Evidence from DeKalb suggests that, when planned well, data centers can strengthen local finances rather than strain them.

    Batavia’s Local Advantage

    Unlike most suburbs, Batavia operates its own municipal electric utility, giving residents a direct voice in how major users connect to the grid, what infrastructure they help fund, and what standards govern reliability.

    Because Batavia purchases wholesale power and manages its own substations and feeders, each new industrial load requires coordination – but that’s a strength. Through the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency (NIMPA) – whose members are Batavia, Geneva, and Rochelle – the city already collaborates regionally to secure long-term power and reliability. That cooperative model shows how municipal utilities can manage large projects responsibly.

    Learning from Nearby Examples

    Batavia’s pending Hut 8 proposal isn’t a done deal – it’s an opportunity to apply what our neighbors have already learned. DeKalb proved that clear expectations and cooperation can turn questions into long-term community gains.

    Aurora, just to the south, has seen both sides of the story. Established campuses operated by CyrusOne, Edged, and others brought investment, but after rapid early growth the city paused new approvals to address resident concerns – showing the value of transparency early in the process.

    To the east, West Chicago’s SBA Edge campus (formerly New Continuum) anchors the same ComEd and fiber corridor that serves Batavia. It operates quietly and reliably, illustrating that these facilities can coexist with neighborhoods when they’re sited and managed well.

    Together, these lessons give Batavia the benefit of hindsight – the chance to plan once and get it right.

    Addressing Common Concerns

    Noise: Modern data centers are remarkably quiet. Backup generators run only brief monthly tests or during rare outages, and sound is buffered through setbacks, berms, and enclosures.

    Water and Local Oversight: The proposed Batavia facility won’t have the water-use problems people often fear. The city required a closed-loop cooling system that recycles water and capped use at 1,000 gallons per day – roughly a few households’ worth. Officials say the impact on Batavia’s system will be minimal, and consumption will be monitored under the operating agreement. If managed as proposed, Batavia can capture the economic upside without added measurable strain on its water supply.

    Fairness: When planned properly, large projects fund most of the infrastructure they need – feeders, roads, and utility extensions – so homeowners aren’t left paying for them.

    Understanding the Power Equation

    Northern Illinois is part of the PJM Interconnection, a 13-state regional grid that shares both generation and costs. Whether a large campus is built in Ohio, Virginia, or Illinois, those wholesale prices ripple across all PJM states.

    Since Batavia ratepayers already share those regional costs, it makes sense to keep some of the benefits here – local jobs, tax revenue, and utility investment. A responsibly sized project like Hut 8 won’t reshape the grid overnight, but it can improve local reliability and spread fixed costs across a broader base.

    Planning Responsibly

    Public caution is healthy. These facilities are large and technical, and they deserve careful review. But the technology itself isn’t the problem – it’s how we plan for it.

    Batavia can set the standard by requiring:

    • Independent studies for water and noise impacts,
    • Scaled setbacks and landscape buffers, and
    • Transparent cost-sharing plans for utility upgrades.

    When expectations are clear and public, projects move forward with less controversy and greater benefit.

    A Local Perspective

    I live in DeKalb County and work in Internet and data-center infrastructure. I have no financial stake in any current proposal; my interest is seeing our region grow responsibly.

    DeKalb’s experience shows that technology and community can coexist. With thoughtful planning and open communication, Batavia can do the same – strengthening its tax base, improving reliability, and ensuring environmental accountability without losing the character that defines the city.

    Mike Hammett lives in DeKalb County and has over 20 years of experience in Internet and data-center infrastructure. He has no financial interest in current data-center proposals.