Richland County commissioners declare no interest in data center

This news article reports that the Richland County Board of Commissioners, including Tony Vero, Darrell Banks, and Cliff Mears, have unanimously declared their disinterest in a proposed data center and power plant project by Florida-based company EnergiAcres. The project was slated for land in Franklin Township, north of Mansfield, Ohio. Commissioner Mears specifically refuted social media claims of his support for the project, clarifying that previous support was for an unrelated water main infrastructure project near Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport. The article highlights that Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry had previously announced the city's decision to cease pursuit of the project on Tuesday, stating the city was "not in alignment" with EnergiAcres and would no longer seek to annex the necessary land. This collective municipal and county opposition effectively halts the data center development.