Heading into Election Day, data center issues were on the ballot in 18 Ohio communities. Ohio currently ranks 4th in the nation in operational data centers, and reporting shows that 70% of Americans oppose constructing data centers in their local communities. That notion was validated by overwhelming election results locally, with all initiatives passing by at least 52%.
“Communities across Ohio made their voices clear on Election Day,” said PCFO Executive Director Joe Flarida. “At a time when households are strained by rising costs, Ohioans resoundingly voted to ban or restrict future data center development. It’s important that local governments have a seat at the table with developers to build better, more transparent relationships that benefit their communities.”
Each of the amendments proposed to ban or restrict data centers that draw over 25 MW of energy monthly passed, putting those bans in effect in the communities of Conneaut, Defiance, Granville, Grove City, Hubbard, Monroeville, Oregon, Pataskala, Piqua, Sunbury, Trenton, Upper Sandusky, and Urbana.
Wilmington’s referendum to strike down past ordinances related to zoning for data centers passed and Ashville’s referendum to overturn the City’s approval of the EdgeConneX project passed with a resounding 82%.
Monroe and Sprigg Townships’ initiatives to “preserve the rural and agricultural character” of their communities passed, while an outright ban in Hubbard and Perry’s initiative to require any hyperscale developer seeking tax incentives from the village to provide enforceable financial guarantees before receiving said benefits also passed.
PCFO will continue advocating for greater use of community benefits agreements for data center projects in Ohio, including stronger transparency, public participation, and community oversight, and believes that data center operators should cover full transmission and generation costs, ensuring that Ohioans aren’t left footing the bill.