Piqua residents rally at City Hall, demand more details on proposed data center
Piqua, Ohio residents rallied at City Hall to oppose a proposed data center project, demanding more information and transparency from city leaders. Concerns include a fast-moving approval process, potential environmental impacts like tree cutting, and increased noise and energy demand. Residents are threatening a lawsuit if their requests are not met.
Residents of Piqua, Ohio, gathered at City Hall to protest a proposed data center, accusing city leaders of a lack of transparency and rushing the project through. Co-organizers Alisha Lange and Katie Kohler-Wagner of "Stand With Piqua" stated that residents feel ignored despite attempts to obtain information, citing an "emergency vote" without public hearing and ongoing development work like tree removal and demolition before all approvals are in place. The community is concerned about noise, increased energy demand, and the industrialization of areas near homes, schools, and farms, with a statewide petition against data centers already garnering 44,000 signatures.
Residents, including Cree St. Meyers, are calling for city commissioners to listen to their constituents and reconsider the project, even suggesting forgiveness for commissioners who change their minds. The city of Piqua previously stated in May that it has "responsibly planned for the public infrastructure improvements" for the data centers. Rally organizers announced plans to file a lawsuit against the city if their demands for more information are not met, and they are holding a fundraiser to support this legal action.