Chicago Business Journal Features Mitch Carrel on Data Center Development and Community Engagement

Media Mentions
Chicago Business Journal

Illinois is losing ground as a data center hub, with more than $200 billion in development reportedly steering toward neighboring states as local officials pull back on local development. The Chicago Business Journal examines what's driving the shift and what it means for the region's competitiveness.

Partner Mitch Carrel was quoted in the piece, drawing on his experience with Chicago's first major data center development in the early 2000s. Mitch's advice to developers: community engagement has to come before the permit application, not after. The projects that succeed long-term are the ones where developers build trust with local stakeholders before asking for approvals.

Read more (subscription may be required): https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2026/09/08/data-center-illinois-development.html

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