Piqua residents fund lawsuit against city over data center
Piqua, Ohio residents are protesting and fundraising for a lawsuit against the city commission over the emergency approval of data center plans, which they claim was a "back-door deal." This local opposition is part of a larger movement, as over 44,000 Ohioans have signed a petition advocating for a statewide pause on data center developments.
Residents in Piqua, Ohio, are actively protesting against a data center project that was approved by the city commission months ago as an emergency measure, which limited public notification. Community members, including Alisha Lange and Cree St. Myers, have expressed strong disapproval, alleging that the approval process was a "back-door deal" and citing concerns over city officials signing non-disclosure agreements.
The opposition is escalating, with residents fundraising $300,000 to file a lawsuit against the City of Piqua, aiming to halt the data center project. Simultaneously, Piqua residents traveled to Columbus to engage with state representatives, highlighting a broader effort in Ohio where more than 44,000 citizens have signed a petition calling for a statewide pause on data center developments.
The City of Piqua responded to the protests with a statement affirming residents' right to peaceful assembly, but it did not address the project itself or the allegations. Protestors have stated their intention to continue demonstrations until the project's plans are stopped.