Landowner leans on school districts
Dowson Family Farms contacted area school officials to promote a $500 million CyrusOne data center project in Talkington Township, offering $2 million each to Chatham and Auburn school districts over five years. The Sangamon County Board ultimately approved the project in a 17-10 vote on April 7.
Dowson Family Farms, which has land under contract to CyrusOne for a $500 million data center project in Talkington Township, contacted area school officials to promote the project. Darrel Thoma, CFO of Dowson Family Farms, emailed Becca Lamon, superintendent of Ball-Chatham School District, on April 3, stating CyrusOne would give $2 million each to Chatham and Auburn school districts over five years if the project was approved. The Sangamon County Board approved the project on April 7 in a 17-10 vote. Thoma's emails, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, showed he urged school officials to support the project, stating that CyrusOne would direct resources to other communities if it didn't pass. Thoma later clarified that the $2 million figure was not certain and that Auburn School Board's support was not as clear as initially stated. County Board members representing Auburn and Chatham voted against the proposal.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.