Fairfield County data center draws skepticism, alternative utility plans
Construction is underway in Fairfield County, Ohio, on a new $2.1 billion data center by Vantage Data Centers, which has raised concerns among some Millersport residents regarding land acquisition, environmental impacts, and the project's rapid progression. The facility will include four data centers, two security buildings, and one administrative warehouse on 350 acres and aims to address water and power concerns through a closed-loop cooling system and an on-site natural gas energy center.
Construction has begun on a new $2.1 billion data center campus by Vantage Data Centers in Millersport, Ohio, located within Fairfield County. The project, which includes four data centers and related facilities, is being built on 350 acres annexed from Walnut Township and is expected to create 50 full-time jobs and 2,500 construction jobs.
Some local residents, including Zack Gorsuch and Stacey Keller-Clements, have expressed skepticism and concern regarding the rapid pace of the project, alleged secrecy, and potential environmental impacts. Concerns also center on air pollution from an associated natural gas-fired energy center, the Fairfield Energy Center, which Advanced Power is developing on leased land from Vantage to provide on-site power.
Residents are actively voicing their concerns to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which still needs to grant final approval for the energy center and is accepting public feedback. Vantage Data Centers has stated the campus will use a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water consumption, estimating 5.5 million gallons per year, equivalent to about 75 homes. The company is also providing community updates via a dedicated website and social media.