Re-zoning hearing draws a large crowd to the NPAC

A public hearing concerning the re-zoning for a proposed $10 billion data center in Van Wert, Ohio, drew a standing-room-only crowd of over 200 people to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The Van Wert City Council scheduled the hearing to address procedural errors from a previous re-zoning, with local attorney Charles Koch, representing developer Thor Equities, stating the project is a completion of an already approved process. Public input was sharply divided. City residents like Randy Agler and community leaders such as Vantage Career Center Superintendent Rick Turner and Van Wert Area Economic Development Director Stacy Adam spoke in favor, highlighting potential economic benefits, job creation, and an expanded tax base. Dr. Jon Tomlinson, Dean of the Van Wert Campus of Northwest State Community College, also supported the project, calling it a "forward-looking investment." Opponents, including city resident Faith Wallace and county resident Dave Roehm of Willshire, voiced significant concerns about the data center's impact. Wallace argued a data center is not a true industrial business and questioned its effect on property values and electric bills, also claiming the decision should have been put to a public vote. Roehm and others specifically raised alarms about water usage, particularly for farming and livestock, and expressed doubts about the use of closed-loop cooling systems. Erica Galloway requested clear and enforceable regulations on water usage, noise, and lighting if the project is approved. Critics also accused council members of misleading the public and expressed general distrust of Thor Equities. Van Wert Area Economic Development Director Brent Stevens submitted 78 letters in support of the project following the public comments. The Van Wert City Council is slated to vote on the re-zoning request on Monday, May 11. Second Ward Councilman Greg Roberts will abstain due to his employment with the Marsh Foundation, which sold property to Thor Equities. An emergency provision could allow the measure to pass with a 6-0 vote that night, otherwise, it would require three readings, pushing the final vote into June.