'Yes To New Jobs For Joliet': The Joliet Technology Center Launches Website, '$20 Billion Investment In City'

JOLIET, IL — After Joliet Patch broke the news on October 2 revealing plans for a Joliet Data Center near the Chicagoland Speedway property near Laraway Road, the Joliet planning board removed the project from its meeting agenda discussions for both October and November.

At the November meeting, even though the project was off the agenda, several people showed up anyway to voice their displeasure with the proposed data center, even though many of them admitted they did not live anywhere near the proposed development. A lot of the opponents told the plan commission they came from Aurora and were affiliated with environmental causes.

On Friday, Joliet Patch learned that Hillwood has just launched its Joliet Technology Center website called, "Yes To Joliet Jobs." The website lets everyone know how the project will mean 7,000 to 10,000 construction jobs and a $20 billion investment "in our local economy that strengthens Joliet's future."

According to the website, "The Joliet Technology Center will be delivered by Hillwood and PowerHouse Data Centers together, bringing a $20 billion investment, thousands of construction jobs for American workers and local residents and long-term revenue that strengthens city services without adding pressure to schools or public resources."

The website lets everyone know, "This is a win for Joliet. The work stays here. The jobs stay here. The benefits stay here."

The proposed Joliet Technology Center would be built on roughly 800 acres of farmland east of the Chicagoland Speedway NASCAR racetrack, which will be returning to the NASCAR circuit next year after not being utilized in recent years.

According to the city of Joliet, HW Technology Park Development, LLC is the contract purchaser, and the current landowners consist of Bernhard Farms, Inc.

The new website explains that "PowerHouse Data Centers is one of the country’s foremost developers of modern digital infrastructure and a leader in delivering data centers at scale ... Its leadership team has delivered critical infrastructure for well-known enterprise clients including AOL, Verizon, CyrusOne and Bank of America. PowerHouse is also known for community-centered design. Each campus emphasizes screening, buffering and thoughtful site planning to protect views, reduce visual impact and create an attractive perimeter. Once built, PowerHouse facilities are quiet, clean and among the lowest-intensity land uses in any community with minimal lighting, little parking demand and almost no truck traffic.

"For Joliet, PowerHouse provides proven expertise in delivering complex data center infrastructure, a commitment to responsible site design and a reliable approach that supports long-term community benefit."

To learn more, visit the new website for the Joliet Technology Center.