Regional chamber president offers perspective on data centers
Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber President Guy Coviello told the Trumbull County Council of Governments that data centers could attract technology jobs and help address regional economic challenges. He also emphasized responsible development, including protections for water customers and the electric grid, while local officials and labor leaders discussed community benefits and concerns about bans or moratoriums.
Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber President and CEO Guy Coviello presented research on data centers to the Trumbull County Council of Governments in Howland, arguing that responsible facilities could help the Mahoning Valley attract technology jobs and reduce the region’s loss of skilled workers. He said the chamber has developed guidance for local officials on evaluating proposed projects and distinguishing responsible developers from bad actors.
Coviello acknowledged concerns about water use, utility capacity and consumer costs, but said closed-loop cooling systems and Ohio policies requiring data centers to absorb grid expansion costs could address some risks. Western Reserve Building Trades President Marty Loney said the region has a major opportunity for construction employment and urged business, labor and communities to negotiate benefits and protections rather than impose bans. Several communities in Trumbull and Mahoning counties have moratoriums or bans, while an unnamed company is considering a data center on Youngstown’s North Side.