Amazon rallies support for Ohio data center plan ahead of possible voter ban
Amazon held a public outreach event in Trenton to promote its proposed 18-building data center complex before voters decide whether to ban data centers in the city. The company says the project would use little water for cooling, reduce utility costs and create at least 500 long-term jobs, while opponents are campaigning for a charter change to block data centers entirely.
Amazon representatives hosted booths at Edgewood Middle School in Trenton to address residents' concerns about noise, jobs, water use and energy consumption ahead of a November vote. The proposed complex would include 18 data centers, and Amazon Energy and Water Director Brandon Oyer said outside-air cooling would eliminate water use for cooling during 97% of the year.
Amazon representative John Workman said the facilities could employ at least 500 AWS workers, in addition to contractors such as electricians, pipe fitters and fiber splicers. The event also featured opposition from a campaign seeking to change Trenton's charter and ban data centers, with residents saying they wanted to hear both sides before deciding how to vote.