(The Center Square) – Economic development’s crossroads with data centers in Ohio has both the green lights of success from community leaders and the stop signs of residents.
Water usage, light pollution, noise and infrastructure concerns are cited by critics. Washington Township is the latest with a temporary moratorium, and it has asked Dublin’s City Council to stand together.
Central Ohio has been selected by a number of companies from the technology industry such as Google, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft. Benefits are multiple, say proponents.
Capital expenditure and long-term investment, temporary construction jobs, and property tax revenue streams come with acceptance by communities. Infrastructure is a double-edged sword – there are demands on electric, water and fiber-optic networks, and there can be enhanced upgrades to those existing.
Schools, police and fire departments generally have less impact because data centers are not heavily staffed.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation, in a report this month, said more than $40 billion in private capital has contributed to the Silicon Heartland.
The chamber says in part, “The report not only maps the sector’s substantial economic footprint but also sets out a roadmap for sustainable growth, emphasizing that future success requires proactive, integrated management of infrastructure, environment, and community trust.”
The data center industry, the chamber says, in 2024 contributed more than 95,000 total jobs; $11.8 billion to the gross domestic product of the state; and a fiscal return on investment of $2.7 billion from 2017 to 2024.
Washington Township last week put a 90-day ban on its unincorporated areas in Franklin, Union and Delaware counties. Jerome Township on Sept. 3 put a stop to developments as well. It already has two Amazon data centers.
Columbus is considered a top 10 market in the continental United States, and Google has facilities in operation.
Amazon Web Services’ $10 billion investment includes plans for a new facility in Marysville. The Sunbury community in Delaware County and Fayette County are also connected to AWS.
In Licking County, Microsoft’s plans include Heath and Hebron in a $1 billion investment.
Meta has chosen Bowling Green and already has operations in Middleton Township.
Aligned Data Centers chose the southeastern community of Conesville, and DP Facilities has plans in the Monroe County community of Hannibal.
New Albany is home to Google, Microsoft, Meta and Vantage. Lancaster has a Google facility.
