Mayor Jason Tompkins Reflects on the Data Center Development Process
The last week of September, the Village of Mahomet released a statement in tandem with a FOIA release that announced a potential data center development with Clean Cloud Energy. Public outcry was swift and loud, with many residents of Mahomet and neighboring townships opposing both the data center as well as the Village’s handling of its discussions with Clean Cloud Energy.
On October 5, the Village of Mahomet announced that it had ended discussions with Clean Cloud Energy. But the conversation at the local level has continued, both in Champaign County and in Mahomet.
On October 20, the Village Board of Trustees Study Session included a planned agenda item to wrap up the data center discussion, inviting the public to attend and contribute their perspectives. Mayor Jason Tompkins noted that this was the first time since October 5 that the full Board had gathered. He said that he thought it was prudent to have a session where the board could formally make comments, hear from the public, and reflect on the process of “how a project idea comes to the Village and the path it follows.”
Tompkins shared that in addition to the public comment from 7 individuals, one-on-one conversations between board members and attendees continued after the meeting. Issues addressed included data centers and NDAs broadly, as well as appreciation for the willingness of the Village and its Board to hear “the will of the people on this project.” Below, Tompkins responds to our questions about the genesis of the project, public response to it, and future economic development for the Village.
Q&A
EM: Starting from the beginning – i.e., ten months ago – was a data center something the
Village sought? What was the Village trying to accomplish in considering a proposed data center?
JT: A data center was not a specific project the Village of Mahomet sought out. In December 2025, Clean Cloud Energy was meeting with Champaign County officials and approached the Village about a potential project since it was near Mahomet. The Village’s purpose in considering the opportunity was to understand what it could mean for Mahomet, including the potential to expand the commercial tax base, the demands it could place on infrastructure and services, and its possible effects on the community.
Those preliminary discussions were part of evaluating whether there was a path forward that would serve Mahomet’s interests. Exploring the possibility did not mean the Village had committed to approving the project.
EM: From the FOIA materials released to the public, it appears that you, Economic Development Specialist Austin Shufflebarger and Village Administrator Patrick Brown were involved in the early discussions. Can you explain the relationship between the Village staff and the Village Board of Trustees (elected officials) when it comes to a development such as this? What does the normal process look like?
JT: Village staff regularly meets with developers and businesses considering coming to Mahomet. These early discussions are vitally important to learn about a potential project and discuss the community’s needs and priorities. Staff’s role is to gather information, evaluate potential proposals and help develop a framework for consideration. Preliminary discussions do not constitute final agreements or approval by the Village Board of Trustees.
When a development requires Plan and Zoning Commission review and Board of Trustees approval, the normal process is for a formal proposal to come before the Commission for review and a recommendation, followed by consideration by the Board of Trustees. The public has opportunities to review the proposal and provide comments during that part of the process, before any final decisions are made by the Board of Trustees.
EM: The public immediately voiced concerns about a data center’s potential use and contamination of water, use of electricity, and sound pollution. When a potential development is proposed to the Village, who is responsible for determining the likely environmental impact of a new business? Are there experts that you consult, or who work for the Village?
JT: The developer would have been responsible for providing the technical studies and supporting information needed to evaluate the project’s potential impacts. The Village’s responsibility would have been to critically review that information, identify unanswered questions, and seek independent review from qualified experts.
For a project of this scale, that review would need to address water use and protection, electricity demand, noise, and infrastructure and service needs. Staff’s preliminary discussions help identify those issues, but answering them requires detailed technical information and appropriate expertise. No formal application was submitted, and that detailed technical review had not yet occurred. These were significant questions that remained unanswered when discussions ended. There were still many steps ahead before the Plan and Zoning Commission or Board of Trustees would have been able to consider the requested approvals.
EM: Early on in this project, you and other staff members were asked to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Patrick Brown informed CCE as early as December that such agreements would be limited by the Freedom of Information Act. Regardless, how common is the use of NDAs in discussions of this sort? What are the benefits to the company and/or the government?
JT: NDAs are used by businesses and developers during preliminary discussions, and I have encountered them in my own work in the private sector. Their purpose is generally to protect confidential business information while a potential project is being explored. For a company, that can mean protecting information about potential sites, business plans, or other parties involved. For the Village, the benefit is access to information that helps staff better understand a potential project and assess whether further consideration is warranted.
An NDA is not an agreement to approve a project. The distinction is between protecting confidential information during exploratory discussions and making decisions through the required public process.
EM: How would you respond to those who feel that signing an NDA created an environment of secrecy around a project with significant community impact?
JT: I understand why residents were concerned and recognize that they wanted more information sooner, particularly given the potential scale and impact of this development. Signing NDAs is not a regular practice of the Village. Such agreements can serve a purpose during preliminary business discussions, but they do not override the Village’s obligations under Illinois transparency laws. An NDA does not approve a project or eliminate the public review and approval process. It also did not change staff’s responsibility to evaluate this opportunity or the standards they applied.
No formal application was submitted. Had the developer proceeded, the requested approvals would have been subject to the applicable public review and approval process, with opportunities for residents to review the proposal, ask questions, and provide input before decisions on those approvals were made. Our board and staff need to further examine how the Village handles NDAs, including whether a formal policy should guide their use. We should use this experience to strengthen both our practices and our communication with residents.
EM: How did you, Village staff, and the Board of Trustees come to the decision to end the project?
JT: Residents’ feedback played a significant role in my conclusion that we should end discussions. The opposition was overwhelming, and the developer had not provided enough information or public engagement to establish a clear path forward. Our responsibility is to evaluate potential development considering Mahomet’s interests.
I was also concerned about the division this discussion was creating within our community. Without a clear path to address residents’ concerns and demonstrate how the project would serve Mahomet, I did not believe continuing discussions with Clean Cloud Energy was in the community’s best interests.
EM: The October 5 statement from the Village concludes, “This decision does not diminish the Village’s commitment to attracting commercial development and expanding its commercial tax base for the benefit of the Village and other local taxing bodies. The Village will continue pursuing development opportunities that align with the community’s priorities and long-term interests.” What kind of projects would best accomplish these goals while aligning with the values of our community?
JT: Mahomet has experienced consistent residential growth over the past several decades. Throughout my service as a trustee and now as mayor, expanding our commercial tax base and encouraging economic development have remained priorities. Projects that could serve those goals include retail businesses, restaurants, professional and medical offices, and employers that provide quality jobs. Supporting the growth of existing Mahomet businesses is also an important part of that effort.
We also want to give residents more opportunities to shop and dine locally. When residents travel to places like Champaign and Bloomington to make purchases, the associated sales tax revenue benefits those communities. Expanding local options can help keep more of those dollars in Mahomet, supporting our businesses and helping fund Village services.
The overwhelming feedback we received made clear that residents do not view data centers as the kind of development they want for Mahomet. That feedback should guide our efforts as we pursue other commercial opportunities.
The right fit depends on more than the type of business. We want development that meets community needs, protects our natural resources, fits the surrounding area, and can be supported by our infrastructure and services. Expanding the commercial tax base can help fund the Village and other local taxing bodies and potentially reduce the share of that funding carried by residential property owners. Our goal is to pursue opportunities that provide lasting benefits while preserving the qualities people value about Mahomet.
EM: Property taxes can be complicated. Can you do your best to explain in a simple way how adding new commercial growth affects the property taxes paid by homeowners?
JT: The basic idea is that commercial property helps share the cost of funding local services. The school district, library district, fire protection district and Village each set their property levies, subject to applicable legal limits. When new commercial development adds taxable property, there is a larger base over which to spread that amount. If the amount collected stays the same, homeowners generally pay a smaller share because commercial properties are contributing more.
That does not mean new development automatically lowers everyone’s tax bill. Bills also depend on changes in property assessments and how much each taxing body collects. But expanding our commercial tax base can help ease the pressure on homeowners to fund local services.
EM: What have you heard from residents since it was announced that the data center project was no longer moving forward?
JT: In this matter we have heard from many residents of the village, but we have also heard from many people outside the village. Most people that I have heard from expressed appreciation that their concerns were heard and were pleased the Village ended discussions on the project. I have also heard from some who would have preferred to see the evaluation process continue. While opinions varied, most of the feedback I received was supportive of ending discussions.
EM: Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Is there anything you would like to say to the community in conclusion?
JT: I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their questions, concerns and perspectives. Public participation is an essential part of local government, and the feedback we received played a significant role in the decision to end discussions. Our responsibility as elected representatives are to listen, take that feedback seriously and make decisions that serve Mahomet’s interests.
I hope through this experience that people have a better understanding of the process for a matter such as this. I remain committed to working with residents, Village staff and the Board of Trustees to pursue opportunities that strengthen our community while protecting the qualities that make Mahomet a place we are proud to call home.
