Data center protest in Piqua gathers bipartisan support
A large group protested a proposed data center in Piqua, Ohio, ahead of a City Commission meeting, expressing bipartisan opposition. Event co-organizers questioned city officials' use of emergency votes and announced plans to fundraise for a lawsuit to stop the development. Residents are also concerned about environmental impacts, including tree removal and potential tribal burial grounds, and are requesting environmental studies.
A significant protest against a proposed data center took place in front of the Piqua Municipal Government Complex in Piqua, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 2, ahead of a City Commission Meeting. Event co-organizers Katie Kohler Wagner, a Democratic candidate for Ohio District 80, and Alisha Lange, a registered Republican, highlighted the bipartisan nature of the opposition, stating that the issue transcends political affiliations. They criticized city officials for reportedly using emergency votes to advance the project and for not listening to resident concerns.
Lange announced intentions during the commission meeting to initiate a fundraising effort to finance a lawsuit against the city, aiming to halt the data center's development. Residents voiced strong objections, citing environmental damage from preliminary demolition work, including extensive tree removal, and expressing concerns about potential native tribal burial grounds and artifacts. They have also requested that the city conduct environmental studies before proceeding further with the project. Both organizers emphasized that while they understand the "race for AI," residents do not want this specific development in Piqua.