ROCKFORD, IL — Rockford Planning and Development Committee members are backing the creation of a Tax Increment Financing District in an area south of the Rockford airport that includes land San Diego-based Monarch Energy is eyeing for a potential hyperscale data center.
City officials have to agreed to a prohibition on any support generated by the TIF District from directly benefiting a data center after residents raised concerns at public hearings.
Residents who filled the audience and brought signs opposing a data center, worry a data center could drive up electricity costs, consume too much water and potentially harm the environment. They also cited concerns with industrial development near residential, agricultural and forest preserve areas.
“With the comments received during the public hearing, the ordinances approving the South Rockford TIF District state that TIF Funds, public subsidies and tax increment revenue available through South Rockford TIF District is prohibited to be used to incentivize data centers,” according to a memorandum to Rockford City Council.
Ald. Tim Durkee, R-1, Dawn Granath, D-8, and Janessa Neal, D-7 voted in favor of the TIF District. Ald. Gina Meeks, D-12, voted against it. It now goes to City Council for consideration.
Called the South Rockford Industrial TIF District, it would be located on about 1,482 acres near the Chicago Rockford International Airport. The proposed TIF district is located west of 11th Street, north of Edson Road, east of Rothwell Road and south of Condon and South Bend roads.
Mark Goode of Roselle-based Venture One told aldermen that the TIF incentives are needed to attract industrial users to the land. Goode is working to bring a business park that could include shipping, distribution, warehouse, cargo handling and similar facilities to property in the area.
Goode stressed that his company has agreed not to pursue a data center on 166 acres he is seeking to develop into a business park. He said his company’s development could generate millions in property tax dollars and mean hundreds of both permanent jobs and union construction jobs.
“Building up your tax base starts with industrial,” Goode told elected officials.
Officials said there is plenty of land available for other industrial users to locate alongside a potential data center, if it were to come to Rockford. The land eyed for a data center is already zoned for industrial use and would allow for a data center.
The new TIF district would replace what was known as the Global Trade Park South TIF District. That district is set to expire in 2034. The proposed South Rockford Industrial TIF District would be in place for 23 years if approved by City Council.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Committee backs Rockford tax district that could include data center
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
