Chillicothe Data Center Project Sparks Opposition, Prompts Legislative Discussions
A proposed $1.5 billion high-performance computing campus, widely understood as a data center, at a former paper mill site in Chillicothe, Ohio, has sparked local opposition and discussions within the Chillicothe Council. Council members are gathering information to formulate potential legislation regarding data centers, while a statewide initiative aims to limit their size. The project, including an advanced technology training campus, is supported by local development entities.
A high-performance computing (HPC) campus, which locals interpret as a data center, planned for a former paper mill site in Chillicothe, Ohio, has become a dominant topic in recent Chillicothe Council sessions. The project, announced July 2nd, involves an anticipated $1.5 billion investment by Aligned, with AMD hardware, and aims to establish a strategic hub for AI infrastructure and advanced computing.
This development has quickly led to local opposition, with a statewide initiative called "Conserve Ohio" also collecting signatures to amend the Ohio Constitution to limit the size of new data centers. Conversely, the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce supports the project, viewing it as a crucial opportunity to transform the former Pixelle site into a multi-use hub for high-skilled industries.
The project includes the "Chilpaco Innovation Campus" and the conversion of the former Mead Research building into a regional technology training campus. John Todoroki, owner of U.S. Paper Mill, LLC, gifted the building to Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development. Tammy Eallonardo, Director of GCRCD, stated that the Innovation Campus will partner with universities and trade schools to prepare the local workforce for careers in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and emerging technologies, supporting companies like Kenworth, Centrus, OKLO, and SoftBank.
Chillicothe Council member Kathy Dunn has been tasked with gathering information to formulate possible legislation regarding data centers. An industry insider, Kyle Skaggs, also voiced concerns about data center operations and developer site acquisition during a public address.