Ohio Farm Bureau says long-term policy solutions needed for data center influx across the state
The Ohio Farm Bureau expresses concern over the increasing number of data centers statewide, citing impacts on the agricultural industry and land use. They advocate for legislative solutions and transparency regarding water, electricity, and economic impacts. Governor Mike DeWine has paused new data center tax exemption requests as a state committee reviews data center growth.
The Ohio Farm Bureau, through its director of state policy Evan Callicot, has voiced significant concerns regarding the rapid expansion of data centers across Ohio, emphasizing the adverse effects on the state's agricultural industry and productive farmland. Callicot noted that Ohio ranks fifth nationally in data centers, with over 200 facilities, and highlighted the loss of more than 500 acres of farmland in the past two years, a trend he deems unsustainable.
In response to these growing concerns, Governor Mike DeWine recently announced a halt on all new data center tax exemption requests. This pause coincides with a review by the Ohio General Assembly's Joint Data Center Committee, which is examining the broader implications of data center growth in the state. Callicot stressed the need for increased transparency and clear guidelines on data centers' long-term economic impacts, as well as their specific demands on water quality and quantity, and their potential influence on the electricity market. The Ohio Farm Bureau asserts that protecting critical resources is paramount for the future viability of Ohio's agricultural sector.