Mayor Mike Parkinson is Looking Ahead,
A New Era of Opportunity Begins
GraniteCityGossip.com, December 19, 2025
Granite City is stepping into a new chapter, one defined by vision, preparation, and a determination to build a stronger future. At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Mike Parkinson delivered an optimistic and forward‑looking message, emphasizing that the city is actively exploring new opportunities to secure long‑term growth and stability.
While the recent restart of the steel mill has brought welcome relief, Parkinson made it clear that Granite City cannot rely on any single industry to carry the community forever.
“We know the steel mill is firing back up,” he said. “But we’re not sure how long that will be, whether it’s a stop‑gap measure until they get new arc electric ovens built elsewhere and we’re faced with the same situation again.”
His message was not one of worry, but of readiness. Granite City, he said, is preparing to rise to a whole new level.
Exploring the Next Frontier
As part of that preparation, Parkinson traveled last week to Papillion, Nebraska, where he toured a major data center campus, one of several that have transformed that once‑quiet community into a booming regional hub. The trip, taken with the Madison County Board Chairman, was meant to gather firsthand information about what data centers actually bring to a city.
“I was pretty amazed at what these places are,” Parkinson said, the kind of revenue they generate for cities, the growth they spawn, the amount of employment they provide.”
The facility he toured sits on roughly 300 acres, and Parkinson spoke with city officials there who reported they had seen no real increases in cost of living, electric rates, or water bills for residents. What they had seen was explosive growth, new businesses, new families, and a tax base that has allowed the city to strengthen schools, pay down debt, and even consider lowering taxes.
One data center alone, Parkinson noted, generates around $30 million a year in property taxes. “The tax generation off the property value is astronomical,” he said. “It would change the scope of our city overnight if we could land one of these deals.”
Transparency, Education, and Open Mind
Parkinson stressed that Granite City is not announcing a data center project, nor is one guaranteed. But he was clear that the city would be doing its due diligence and doing it openly.
“This might—I say might—be a viable option for us to explore,” he said. “This council will be made aware of it. We will have open discussions. Nothing behind closed doors and sprung on anyone at the last minute.”
In the coming weeks, residents can expect public meetings, educational sessions, and open forums to learn what data centers are, how they operate, and what they could mean for Granite City.
“We want to educate our people so they know what we’re looking at doing, what the truth is, what the rumors are, and what the falsehoods are,” Parkinson said. He urged residents not to rely on social media for information.
“Facebook is not a good source,” he said. “Please do your homework.”
A City Ready for Its Next Chapter
Parkinson described being “blown away” by the transformation in Papillion, a city he has visited for decades and watched evolve into a thriving, modern community with five data centers and a rapidly expanding economy.
“Their growth is something like what you only saw in Silicon Valley back in the day,” he said.
He asked Granite City residents to stay patient, stay curious, and stay open‑minded as the city gathers real data and real examples from communities that have already embraced this new economic era.
“We’re gonna do things in this city that have to be done,” Parkinson said. “We’ve already done a lot, but we are going to continue looking at opportunities for this city and get us on a whole other playing field to turn things around for years to come.”
He emphasized that no promises are being made, but the possibilities are worth exploring.
“This is the direction we are looking at,” he said. “There will be a lot more talks on this. I just want to put it out there.”
A Future Built on Possibility
Mayor Parkinson’s message was ultimately one of hope and momentum: Granite City is not waiting for opportunity to come knocking. It is actively seeking it, studying it, and preparing for it.
A new era of opportunity is beginning, and Mayor Mike Parkinson is ready to help Granite City step into it.