Perry Village Council sets open meeting for presentation by data center developer

Perry Village Council in Ohio has decided to move a presentation by data center developer Province Group from a confidential executive session to an open public meeting on April 23, following strong criticism from residents regarding a lack of transparency. The meeting, which will detail proposals for data center tax abatement and payment in lieu of taxes programs, will be held at the Manchester West building to accommodate a larger audience. Residents had previously protested and voiced anger on social media over the initial plan for a closed-door session. Developer Province Group, a California-based real estate developer, aims to construct a data center campus on 213 acres of former nursery land, known as Champion Farm, acquired from Perry Village, Perry Township, and the Perry JEDD. The proposed campus would feature six 200,000-square-foot buildings. Local residents, including Dave and Elizabeth Trobenter and Emily Light, expressed significant concerns about potential noise pollution, impact on local wildlife, strain on the water supply (including Lake Erie), and declining property values. They also argued that the data center is not suitable for a quiet, small-town atmosphere or its proximity to Perry Cemetery. Village officials, including Mayor James Gessic, have previously stated that the data center could bolster the local economy through tax revenue and job creation during both construction and operation. However, no land sales agreements have been finalized yet. Council President Elias Coss confirmed that while the April 23 meeting will be open, the public will not be able to comment or ask questions, as it is essentially a public version of the developer's original executive session presentation. Representatives from Perry Township, the Perry JEDD Board, Perry Joint Fire District, and Perry Schools are invited to attend due to potential impacts from tax abatements.