Political backlash over data centers grows in Columbus, Ohio
A Columbus-area construction trades representative said political opposition to data centers could threaten major job creation and investment in Central Ohio. He urged elected officials and local communities to work with the industry, citing Google-related construction and maintenance work as a major source of union employment.
Dorsey Hager of the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council said the data center boom has generated substantial employment and economic activity in Central Ohio. He cited more than 6.5 million work hours associated with Google in 2025 and said roughly 4,000 construction, maintenance and upgrade jobs benefited union workers and related businesses.
The Fox Business discussion focused on political backlash after newly elected Democrats, including Ohio officials, campaigned against data center expansion and supported efforts to halt or limit development. Hager said the trades should educate elected officials and local decision-makers about the sector’s benefits, including tax revenue, infrastructure investment and workforce development. He also argued that communities should evaluate projects locally, while asserting that existing data center development in the Columbus area has not increased pollution or damaged water supplies.