Mahoning, Trumbull County residents sign petition to limit data centers

Residents across Mahoning and Trumbull Counties in Ohio, particularly in Niles and Girard, are actively opposing data center developments within their communities. Hundreds gathered in Niles to sign a petition for a statewide ballot initiative aimed at amending the Ohio Constitution to ban data centers requiring more than 25 megawatts of power per month. Event organizers reported collecting approximately 200 signatures, with a goal of 600,000 across 44 counties to make the November ballot. Local opposition is specifically focused on a proposed data center project by Singapore-based company Bitdeer on Belmont Avenue in Niles. Bitdeer has requested the Niles City Council to partially annex a portion of Weatherfield to allow the project to proceed. Residents have voiced strong concerns at recent city council meetings regarding potential impacts on air quality, water quality, noise levels, and the city's power grid and water supply. In response to public outcry, 2nd Ward Councilman Aaron Johnstone proposed a six-month moratorium on any votes related to the data center project. The Niles City Council is scheduled to vote on this moratorium after an additional hearing on Wednesday, May 20. While some residents like Judee Patterson see the moratorium as an opportunity for further investigation and to gather more petition signatures, Council President Doug Sollitto expressed skepticism, believing it merely delays an inevitable decision given strong public sentiment.