Mayor: City Has Plenty of Water for Data Centers
Canton officials are considering a 75% tax abatement and direct payment plans for three proposed data centers. Mayor Bill Sherer says the facilities, along with a data center planned in Perry Township, would use less than 2% of the water once consumed by the Republic Steel plant, while residents remain concerned about water demand.
Canton City Council is scheduled to consider incentives for three data center developers planning projects in the city, including a 75% tax abatement and direct payment arrangements. A presentation is planned before the council meeting, with a vote expected afterward.
Residents have raised concerns about the facilities' water consumption. Mayor Bill Sherer said the three Canton centers and another facility on Faircrest Street SW in Perry Township would use less than 2% of the approximately 20 million gallons of water per year consumed by the former Republic Steel plant at its peak. Sherer also proposed ending the Canton Water Department's longstanding "use more, pay less" pricing philosophy.