WPI Data Center Research Partnership
At a glance
- What: The Council voted 8-0 to authorize partnering with Worcester Polytechnic Institute on a student research project, on behalf of the Planning Board, about data centers. A motion to postpone failed.
- Where it stands: Discussed by the Town Council on October 19, 2026; see the meeting log below.
Sources
Log
-
2026-10-19 - Town Council - The Council voted 8-0 to authorize partnering with Worcester Polytechnic Institute on a student research project, on behalf of the Planning Board, about data centers. A motion to postpone failed.
-
2026-10-15 - Joint Planning & Development Subcommittee and Town Council - A Worcester Polytechnic Institute project center director described a student research project (case studies, zoning approaches, community surveys, review of state law, model zoning language). Students would prepare on campus from January and do on-site research from mid-March to early May. A motion was made and seconded for the town planner to propose the partnership to the Town Council as one tool of the data center zoning review; it appeared to pass without a counted vote.
-
2026-11-04 - Planning Board - Agenda lists participation in the WPI student (IQP) program.