Ohio Capital Journal: Voters in All 18 Ohio Communities With Data Center Measures Chose to Curb or Ban Them; Piqua Recalls Commissioners Who Approved a Meta Data Center

Around Ohio, 18 communities voted on whether to curb or ban data center developments, and in all 18 communities voters chose to do so, Ohio Capital Journal reported. In Wilmington, roughly 80% of voters rejected all four rezonings that would have allowed data centers. In Perry, more than 87% of voters backed an initiative requiring data centers that accept tax incentives to take out a bond backing their tax promises. Voters in Piqua prohibited data centers within city limits by a 2-to-1 margin and recalled three city commissioners, including the mayor and vice-mayor, for approving a Meta data center. In Upper Sandusky, nearly 77% approved a charter amendment banning data centers.

Nine communities passed initiatives modeled on the statewide data center moratorium Conserve Ohio organizers are trying to put on the ballot in 2027, which would amend the state constitution to prohibit any data center drawing more than 25 megawatts a month.