Alton City Council Hears Data Center Opposition, Union Concerns and Approves Public Comment Changes
ALTON – During over two and a half hours of public comments at the Oct. 28, 2026 Alton City Council meeting, about 20 people spoke out against a data center being proposed at the former Alton Steel mill site.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Kyle Moore, an Alton resident as of this year, said temporary data center construction jobs would not fully replace the jobs lost when over 250 people were laid off during the Alton Steel closure in January of 2026.
“I know you’re searching for a solution to the jobs lost by the closing and how to counteract that, but a data center is an easy, short-term fix – this is a Band-Aid made of duct tape,” Moore said. “The long-term effects will far outweigh the immediate benefits and eventually, that duct tape is going to tear our skin right off.
“The construction jobs will be temporary, and there is no guarantee that they will go to Alton residents. TerraWatt is not stupid, but they think we are … Look at the turnout from last night and tonight – that should show you that this town will stand together until we find the right choice. There are better options.”
Moore and several others who spoke at the meeting also attended an open house at the Wedge Innovation Center the previous night hosted by TerraWatt, the developer behind the proposed data center project, known as the Riverbend Technology Center. During the City Council meeting, several who attended the open house reported being unsatisfied with the information and responses presented by TerraWatt representatives.
“From the cheap posters to the careless non-answers from TerraWatt’s representatives, it was clear that the disrespect was intentional and pointed,” one resident said. “They clearly believe our city government is filled with uneducated patsies who are willing to roll over for a few dollars.”
Quinn Whitten asked council members to publicly state whether or not they would commit to rejecting any payments or gifts from TerraWatt or any of its affiliates. Alderwoman Rosie Brown said she would reject any payments made to influence city decisions. Alderwoman Martha Pfister said she would never accept any such gift or payment and reiterated that doing so is illegal under both Illinois law and city ordinance.
Multiple speakers, including Sasha Bassett, asked the city’s elected officials to let Alton residents vote on the data center issue directly – or at least truly listen to their concerns. She and others indicated they would vote out any sitting council members who goes against the will of local residents.
“I hope that you really hear us and that this is not a moot exercise or a pre-determined outcome,” she said. “We rely on you, our elected representatives, to be our voice. We vote and send you into office and hope that once you’re there, you continue to care about our concerns. If you do not, the damage done from some decisions cannot be undone, and our only recourse in this system is to elect a new set with the same hopes.”
A recording of the Oct. 28, 2026 Alton City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
