Organizers gather in Barberton to protest data centers
Residents in Barberton, Ohio, gathered to protest the construction of large data centers, citing environmental protection concerns and the impact of significant state tax breaks. The group, Conserve Ohio, is seeking to amend the state's constitution to allow for greater public input on future data center projects.
The Barberton community in Ohio recently hosted a rally and petition drive organized by Conserve Ohio to voice opposition to the construction of large data centers across Summit and Medina counties. Organizers cited insufficient environmental protections during the rapid construction of these facilities and raised concerns about the ability to uphold workers' rights due to the temporary nature of the jobs created.
Conserve Ohio aims to amend the Ohio constitution to mandate more public opinion and involvement before data center projects receive approval and commence construction. This local opposition comes as new data from the Ohio Department of Taxation reveals the state's sales tax exemption for data centers is far more costly than initially projected.
In 2024, the tax break cost Ohio approximately $555 million in lost revenue, significantly exceeding forecasts. For 2025, the projected cost is a substantial $1.6 billion, eleven times higher than original estimates. These considerable tax savings primarily benefit major tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon, which are actively building large data center facilities in the state.