Organizers protest data centers in Barberton
Residents in Barberton, Ohio, protested against future data center projects, raising concerns about environmental protections and temporary job creation. The group, Conserve Ohio, is advocating for an amendment to the state's constitution to allow for greater public input on these developments. This comes as Ohio's data center tax exemption costs the state significantly more than forecasted.
The Barberton community in Ohio recently rallied to express opposition to the construction of large data centers in the area and across Summit and Medina counties. Organizers with Conserve Ohio gathered signatures for a petition, citing concerns over insufficient environmental protections associated with rapid construction and issues regarding workers' rights due to the temporary nature of the jobs created.
The group aims to amend the Ohio constitution to enable more public input on data center projects before their approval and construction. This local opposition unfolds amidst revelations that Ohio's substantial sales tax exemption for data centers is proving far more costly than initially projected by the state Department of Taxation.
In 2024, the tax exemption cost Ohio approximately $555 million, four times the original forecast. For 2025, the estimated cost soared to $1.6 billion, eleven times higher than the initial $136 million prediction. Additionally, local sales taxes saw an extra $166.8 million in lost revenue in 2024. These significant tax savings primarily benefit major tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon, which are actively building large data center facilities in the state.