Alton Considering Consulting Firm For Data Center Impact Review
ALTON – After hearing from several residents against a proposed data center, Alton officials may bring in a consulting firm to review the project's potential impacts.
A resolution appears on the agenda for the Nov. 9, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting authorizing a professional services agreement between the City of Alton and Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
“Support is required to assess the suitability and effect on the community of the proposed data center project at the former Alton Steel Inc. site,” the resolution states.
The city is seeking services from the consulting firm “to review plans, economic data and environmental impacts at the former Alton Steel Inc. site,” according to the resolution.
About 20 local residents shared their own opinions on the “suitability” of a data center at the former steel mill during over two and a half hours of public comments at the Oct. 28, 2026 Alton City Council meeting. The majority of speakers voiced overwhelming opposition to the proposed project.
City Council members approved the consulting agreement resolution during the same Oct. 28 meeting under a suspension of the rules – a process which allows the council to temporarily waive normal procedural rules to take certain actions. However, under the Alton City Code, the approval of items passed under suspended rules is not considered “final” unless approved under the standard process at a following meeting.
If approved by the committee on Monday, Nov. 9, the item will go next to the City Council for final approval on Thursday, Nov. 12. Stay tuned to Riverbender.com for coverage on the latest developments.
What are your thoughts on the city considering a consulting firm to study potential data center impacts? Let us know in the comments below!
More like this:
- Most Popular
- Top Stories
- Most Recent
