Local leaders tour Ohio’s data center capital
Local leaders from the Youngstown area, including McDonald Mayor Ray Lewis, visited New Albany, Ohio, to learn from its successful data center development. McDonald is now proactively developing its own zoning regulations for data centers, covering aspects like light, sound, and setbacks, with public hearings anticipated soon. This approach aims to guide future projects without resorting to moratoriums, as one company, Oppidan, has already inquired about building a data center in McDonald.
Local leaders from the Youngstown area, including McDonald Mayor Ray Lewis and Mike McGiffin of Lake to River Economic Development, toured New Albany, Ohio, often called the state's data center capital. The visit on June 4 aimed to gather firsthand information on how New Albany successfully integrates numerous data centers, especially as other communities in the Youngstown region are considering or approving moratoriums on data center development.
New Albany hosts over 40 data centers from 15 companies, including Google, Meta, and Amazon, representing $49 billion in investment and 1,800 jobs. Mayor Lewis noted the city's success in managing impacts, highlighting only four noise complaints in 16 years and water usage less than half of initial projections. A key lesson learned from New Albany's experience was the importance of creating comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers rather than imposing outright moratoriums, which allows for negotiation and controlled development.
McDonald is now preparing for potential data center development, particularly on land where the McDonald Steel Mill will be demolished. Oppidan, a Minneapolis-based company, has already inquired about building a facility there. In response, Mayor Lewis indicated that McDonald is exploring the implementation of specific regulations concerning light, sound, setbacks, and community benefits related to data centers. A public hearing on these proposed regulations is expected soon, with finalization hoped for in the fall, demonstrating a proactive approach to managing future industrial growth.