Piqua residents rally at City Hall, demanding more details on proposed data center
Piqua residents rallied at City Hall to oppose a proposed data center, demanding city leaders provide more details and slow down the project. Organizers of the "Stand With Piqua" rally voiced frustration over feeling ignored and raised concerns about potential environmental and infrastructure strain. Residents are threatening a lawsuit if their demands for transparency are not met.
Dozens of Piqua residents gathered outside City Hall, chanting "No data centers, no secret deals" in opposition to a proposed data center project. The rally, organized by "Stand With Piqua," took place just before a city commission meeting.
Alisha Lange, a co-organizer, expressed frustration with city leaders, stating that residents feel ignored despite repeated attempts to get answers. She criticized the decision-making process for being quick and secretive, without resident approval, leading to what she described as the destruction of the city through tree cutting, home demolitions, and development without all pieces in place.
Resident Cree St. Meyers highlighted that approximately 44,000 people across the state have signed a petition against the data centers, citing concerns about potential environmental and infrastructure strain. Residents demand that city commissioners listen to them, asserting their right to peaceful pursuit of happiness without worrying about projects that could harm generational wealth.
In response to earlier concerns, the city had issued a statement saying it has "responsibly planned for the public infrastructure improvements necessary to support the development of data centers." However, Lange announced at the rally that if their requests for more transparency are not met, they intend to file a lawsuit against the city and are holding a fundraiser to support this legal action.