Shalersville residents outraged over proposed data center
Hundreds of Shalersville and Portage County residents gathered to voice strong opposition to a proposed data center by Bitdeer, raising concerns over environmental impact, noise, and water usage. The township currently has a moratorium on data centers, and a state bill to create a Data Center Study Commission is progressing through the Ohio legislature. Despite the company's efforts to address concerns, local officials acknowledge potential limitations in their ability to fully ban such projects.
Hundreds of residents in Shalersville and surrounding Portage County communities expressed outrage and voiced significant concerns at a public meeting regarding a proposed data center project. The Singapore-based company, Bitdeer, plans to construct the facility near Beck Road off State Route 44.
Key issues raised by residents included potential environmental impacts, particularly concerning water usage and spills, and excessive noise, with specific worries about a constant hum affecting local beekeepers. Shalersville Township trustee Ron Kotkowski indicated that the township might lack the legal authority to outright ban data centers, suggesting that their options are limited to negotiation to achieve the best possible outcome.
Bitdeer, through Senior Project Manager Paul Hanson, addressed some of these concerns, stating plans to supply its own power and utilize a closed-loop cooling system that recycles water. The company also committed to installing third-party monitors to maintain noise levels below 50 decibels and pledged funds for community engagement. Currently, Shalersville Township has an enacted moratorium on all data centers until November.
Ohio State Representative Heidi Workman attended the meeting to provide an update on the State Select Committee on Data Centers and House Bill 646, which aims to establish a Data Center Study Commission. The bill has passed the State House and is currently under consideration by the Ohio Senate.