Inside One Ravenna Resident’s Fight Against Data Centers

Will Hollingsworth, a Ravenna resident and former programmer, initiated a local movement against data centers after new proposals emerged in Ravenna and Northeast Ohio in 2026. Hollingsworth delivered a passionate speech to the Ravenna City Council, detailing concerns about data centers' significant energy demands on local electrical grids, extensive water use for cooling, and broader environmental impacts on the Great Lakes Basin. The speech gained national attention, going viral on TikTok and X, and was covered by national media, drawing a spotlight onto Ravenna's data center debates. Following public discussion, the Ravenna City Council voted to approve a temporary moratorium on new data center construction, joining other Northeast Ohio towns like Lordstown, Painesville, Wellington, and Twinsburg in similar actions. Cleveland City Council is also considering a moratorium, with Council member Charles Slife citing high electricity consumption and the need for updated municipal regulations. On a statewide level, Ohio Residents for Responsible Development is campaigning to place a proposed amendment on the November ballot that would limit new data centers in Ohio to a maximum of 25 megawatts. Hollingsworth supports this initiative, viewing it as a necessary compromise to manage rapid data center development. Hollingsworth plans a speaking tour across Northeast Ohio to further raise awareness and advocate for slower, more responsible data center growth.