A developer seeking to build a large data center in South Elgin plans to move forward with submitting project plans despite opposition from village board members. White Rose Partners announced on Wednesday the launch of a dedicated website, southelgin-projectkilo.com, intended to provide transparent information regarding the proposal, including its economic benefits, infrastructure needs, and environmental considerations. The site also invites residents to submit questions and feedback.
Jeff Eigenbrood, managing partner of White Rose Partners, emphasized in an email that the company is requesting a fair review of its proposal. “We would respectfully ask that no conclusions be reached before the facts of the project have been presented and the public process has run its course,” he said. According to Eigenbrood, the company has yet to present its plans to the village’s Planning and Zoning Commission or the village board but looks forward to doing so. He noted that the property is identified in South Elgin’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan for future annexation and industrial use. This designation heavily influenced the company’s choice of the site.
The proposed data center would occupy a 20-acre parcel located at Kenyon Road and Route 25, currently unincorporated and owned by Kenyon Brothers Co., which plans to sell the land to White Rose Partners. The developer is seeking to annex the property into South Elgin and rezone it from agricultural to industrial use. The project envisions a 200,000-square-foot facility designed to meet the growing demands for digital infrastructure.
Originally scheduled for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission in July, the hearing was postponed and could now occur on August 19. Meanwhile, opposition to the project has grown, with an online petition against the data center amassing more than 7,660 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon. Opponents cite concerns about the center’s proximity to residential neighborhoods, potential noise and environmental impacts, as well as the substantial electricity and water requirements needed to operate the facility.
At a recent village board meeting, trustees indicated widespread reluctance to approve the project. Trustee Mike Kolodziej expressed firm opposition, stating he would not support locating a data center near his residence. Some trustees also voiced frustration over social media commentary suggesting board approval was predetermined. However, the village attorney advised the board to refrain from outright rejection at this stage, reminding members that the developer has the legal right to submit the proposal and the board is obliged to review it.
White Rose Partners maintains that the project would generate significant economic benefits, including several million dollars in new annual tax revenue for South Elgin, Kane County, and the U-46 School District. Additionally, the development is expected to create both permanent jobs and construction employment opportunities.
“We understand residents have questions; that’s exactly what the public review process is for,” Eigenbrood said. “The upcoming hearings will give the community, the commission, and the board the chance to examine the actual facts of the proposal in detail, and we welcome that conversation.” The developer also highlighted efforts to dispel misinformation circulating online through its new website.