A growing revolt against the construction of data centers in Ohio is reshaping local politics and presenting an unexpected opportunity for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. Residents in communities across the state are raising alarms about the environmental impact, energy consumption, and secrecy surrounding these massive facilities, leading to a groundswell of opposition that transcends traditional party lines.
In Grove City, Ohio, a proposed 310-acre data-center campus has ignited fierce debate. Patty Spillman, a Republican, and Jen Belt, a Democrat, have joined forces to lead the Protect Grove City group, mobilizing residents against the development. Their concerns include water usage, noise pollution, environmental impact, and the high energy costs associated with data centers. Spillman, whose family farm is near the proposed site, noted that neighbors rejected lucrative offers to sell their land. The community's pushback resulted in Grove City enacting a yearlong moratorium on data-center construction. A ballot proposal in November could further restrict such developments by requiring voter approval for all large projects.
This local unrest mirrors a broader trend across Ohio, a state that has become a significant hub for data centers. According to a May Gallup poll, over 70% of voters nationwide oppose building AI data centers in their areas. In Ohio, where electricity bills have risen significantly, a September survey by Bowling Green State University found that nearly 80% of residents support a moratorium on data centers. More than 100 local governments in Ohio have already enacted moratoriums, with at least 10 set to vote on outright bans in November.
Democrats are seeking to capitalize on this sentiment. They are framing data center opposition as a way to address affordability concerns, protect local communities, and combat the influence of large tech companies. According to the analytics firm AdImpact, Democrats have accounted for 77% of the $137.6 million spent on broadcast ads related to data centers this election cycle. Some Democrats believe this issue could be decisive in closely contested races, particularly in swing states like Ohio.
"I'm as Republican as they get, but it's going to be a tough year for Republicans in the state of Ohio," said Nick Owens, a former county GOP chair and Trump delegate, who is now working with the anti-data-center group Conserve Ohio. "We're all united about this."
In Piqua, Ohio, residents are attempting to recall local officials over a secret deal involving Meta's proposed $1 billion data-center campus. Alisha Lange, a registered Republican, expressed anger over the lack of transparency and bonuses awarded to city officials after securing the project. The backlash has led to a ballot measure to recall the mayor and other elected officials.
Don Leonard, the Democratic candidate for Ohio's 15th Congressional District, has made data centers a central theme of his campaign. His polling indicates that over 70% of likely voters in his district desire greater say over data center locations and operations. Leonard views these facilities as symbols of "predatory capitalism" that burden communities with increased costs and environmental threats.
Senator Sherrod Brown, seeking re-election in Ohio, has also targeted data centers, blaming his Republican opponent, Jon Husted, for the state's incentive programs that have supported data center growth. Brown argues that these incentives, estimated at $2.5 billion from 2017 to 2024, have benefited corporations at the expense of Ohioans. Husted's campaign has countered by calling Brown's criticisms hypocritical, pointing to his past support for a data center project.
The issue is not confined to Ohio. In Texas, both the Democratic and Republican candidates for Senate have proposed restrictions on data centers, with the state's governor imposing a temporary moratorium pending an audit. In Iowa, data centers are a focal point in the Senate race, with differing approaches to regulation.
In Grove City, the proposed Headwaters Site Development project has been met with significant resistance. Despite company assurances about community benefits, landscaping, and environmental precautions, residents remain wary of the project's scale and the lack of transparency regarding the ultimate tech company owner. The passage of a one-year moratorium on data-center construction was followed by a successful petition drive to place a charter amendment on the November ballot. This amendment would require voter approval for large developments exceeding specific thresholds for acreage, power consumption, or water usage.
City officials, including Grove City Mayor Richard Stage, who has held the position since 1988, argue that the charter amendment could stifle economic growth and hinder expansion for existing institutions like churches and schools. "It's going to affect business. It's going to affect our schools. It's going to affect our taxes," said local car dealership owner Steve Funk. Mayor Stage acknowledges the public's growing unease, noting, "I've won most elections pretty handily... But you never, never make that assumption."