Trumbull County council leaders issue moratorium halting plans for data center
Community members and local government entities in Ohio's Mahoning Valley are actively opposing data center developments. Niles city council halted an annexation request for a proposed data center, and both Niles and Weathersfield Township have enacted moratoriums to study the impact and explore specific zoning regulations for data centers. A statewide petition is also circulating to implement a constitutional amendment limiting large data centers.
Across Ohio, community members are expressing significant opposition to the construction of large data centers, including in the Mahoning Valley. Grassroots organizations like Conserve Ohio and Ohio Residents for Responsible Development have initiated a statewide petition for a constitutional amendment to prohibit the construction of data centers exceeding 25 megawatts.
In response to public sentiment, the city of Niles announced on April 20 that it would no longer pursue an annexation request submitted by Whitetail Creek LLC, which aimed to bring property from Weathersfield Township into Niles for data center development. Niles city councilman-at-large Jimmy Julian stated the decision reflected the community's clear sentiment. Following this, the city of Niles confirmed it would continue with a moratorium, pausing future data center permitting while exploring specific zoning regulations.
Separately, the Weathersfield Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center proposals within the township on April 30. The board cited significant concerns regarding the potential effects of data center developments on residents' health, safety, and welfare. The moratorium is intended to provide the township's zoning commission with sufficient time to conduct a comprehensive review of data center impacts and to develop and recommend appropriate zoning amendments, restrictions, or prohibitions.