Ohio now has over 125 active moratoriums on data centers. See where they are
Over 138 municipalities and townships in Ohio have enacted data center moratoriums, with many more considering permanent bans, reflecting widespread community opposition. This has led some developers to face lawsuits and others to reconsider their plans, though some communities are using the pause to establish new zoning regulations. Amazon Web Services' plan in Sunbury faces local efforts for a permanent ban.
Ohio is experiencing a significant surge in data center moratoriums, with over 138 municipalities and townships actively halting new construction as of September 17. An additional 23 communities have implemented outright bans, and more than 23 others across seven counties are contemplating similar proposals. This trend is largely driven by strong public sentiment, as a recent Bowling Green State University poll revealed 78% of Ohioans support moratoriums and 75% oppose data center construction in their local areas.
Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem noted his city's one-year moratorium was enacted to allow time to gather accurate information amidst conflicting social media narratives. The widespread local actions are occurring despite lobbying efforts by data center companies and developer donations to utility bill assistance programs, highlighting the growing political toxicity of data centers. Capital University professor Saurav Roychoudhury, who studies the economic impact of data centers, explains that while Ohio previously attracted "hyperscalers" with tax incentives and proximity to resources, developers now prioritize "de-risked land" to avoid community opposition and zoning delays.
The pushback has led to legal challenges, with developers filing lawsuits against Urbana, Lordstown, and Commercial Point after local officials allegedly reversed course on potential sites. Conversely, some communities like Massillon have lifted moratoriums after establishing new zoning regulations. Efforts to regulate data centers are also emerging at state and federal levels, though little has been passed into law. Locally, places like Findlay are developing complex ordinances, including third-party technical reports and electrical demand caps, while communities in Logan, Union, and Champaign counties are coordinating to implement uniform data center bans through zoning amendments. Notably, Amazon Web Services announced a data center plan in Sunbury, a city currently under moratorium, prompting residents like Trey Dockendorf to push for a permanent ban due to concerns about regulation effectiveness.