Urbana data center update
Thor Equities, the company behind a data center project in Urbana, Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Urbana after the city imposed a 12-month moratorium on the project. A county judge has ruled against the city for not submitting a full hearing record, giving them until August 3rd to comply. The lawsuit and ongoing moratorium stem from community opposition citing concerns over electricity rates, water usage, and potential impact on farmland, while Thor Equities highlights significant potential revenue for the city and schools.
Thor Equities, the developer behind a data center project in Urbana, Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against the city after Urbana enacted a 12-month moratorium on the development. This legal action follows the city's shift from initially welcoming the data center to rejecting a site plan and then implementing the moratorium.
Attorney Jack Lauren, representing Thor Equities, stated that the company was left with no choice but to act, asserting that the data center would bring substantial benefits to Urbana, including an estimated $3 million in annual revenue for the city and $2.8 million for city schools. However, local residents expressed significant concerns, citing potential increases in electric rates, the impact on the local aquifer and water supply, and risks to nearby farmlands.
A county judge recently ruled against the City of Urbana, stating that they failed to submit the full hearing record in connection with the lawsuit, and has given the city until August 3rd to comply. Opponents of the data center are also working to put a data center ban on November's ballot. Some residents are also upset with city leaders, holding the mayor responsible for the situation. Thor's attorneys indicated a desire to partner with the City Council on a solution, but if no resolution is found, the case will proceed to discovery and ultimately a trial.