Union leaders in Mahoning Valley support data center development
Union leaders in the Mahoning Valley support data center development because of the construction and long-term skilled-trades jobs it could create. They also want developers to address community concerns involving grid capacity, emissions, noise, water use and local tax benefits as some communities, including McDonald, impose temporary moratoriums.
Western Reserve Building Trades President Marty Loney and Tony Deley of Iron Workers Local 207 said data center construction could provide years of work for skilled tradespeople in the Mahoning Valley, including ongoing jobs tied to technology upgrades. They support development but said projects must be built responsibly and provide benefits to host communities.
The union leaders called for developers to account for electricity demand and pay for required grid upgrades, use generators with stronger emissions controls, address noise, consider closed-loop water systems and negotiate community benefit agreements. Their comments came as McDonald and other Mahoning Valley communities adopted temporary restrictions on new data center development.