Zuharis moves forward with plans to build data center in Yellow Creek Twp

Zuharis is moving forward with its "Project Astralus," a plan to construct a data center and a private power grid in Yellow Creek Township, Ohio. According to company leaders, the land for the project was privately acquired 15 years ago, and all necessary permits have been secured. They also stated that the project would be funded through personal funds, without the use of city taxes.

Arastu Sharma, Zuharis's chief marketing officer, emphasized the company's long-term commitment to the area and its belief that the center will create economic opportunities. He conveyed the company's intention to be transparent and address community concerns.

However, many local residents reported being unaware of the data center plans and voiced strong concerns during a public meeting at the Highlandtown volunteer fire department. Sharma acknowledged utility prices and water pollution as the primary issues. He assured residents that the private power grid would operate independently of the city's grid, thus not affecting local utility costs. Regarding water, Sharma stated that approximately 70% of the cooling water could be recycled and that the company would operate its own treatment plant. Noise reduction measures, along with natural barriers, were also cited to minimize impact.

Despite these explanations, residents remained unconvinced. Karen Cline, a Wellsville resident, expressed feeling "blind-sided" by the plans and criticized city leadership for the lack of early communication, stating, "They don't really care about us. It's a go. They're just going to do it whether we want them to or not." Other residents echoed sentiments of being exploited for profit.