No data centers for new The Midline industrial park, Cleveland officials say
Cleveland officials have announced that data centers will not be allowed in The Midline industrial park, with plans for zoning guardrails to prevent large facilities near neighborhoods and job creation areas. The city recently rejected a permit for a $1.6 billion data center and is considering a moratorium on new data centers until May 2027 to develop a comprehensive plan.
Cleveland city officials, including Council President Blaine Griffin and Mayor Justin Bibb, have publicly stated that data centers will not be permitted within The Midline, a new 350-acre industrial park on the city's East Side intended for high-tech manufacturing. The city plans to establish zoning regulations to prevent large data facilities in areas close to neighborhoods and job creation initiatives.
This decision comes as Cleveland grapples with recent data center proposals. The city recently rejected a permit for a $1.6 billion data center in Slavic Village, an issue that officials expect will persist. Cleveland City Council has also introduced legislation to enact a moratorium on new data centers until May 2027, providing time for the city to develop a comprehensive strategy for managing their development.