Ten Ohio communities vote to ban large data centers as Amazon project continues in Fayette County
Voters in 10 Ohio communities, including Trenton, approved bans on large data centers, while Amazon’s multibillion-dollar facility under construction in Fayette County remains exempt. Jeffersonville-area residents raised concerns about farmland loss, property values, lighting, taxes, and demands on electricity and water, while county commissioners paused new data center projects in several townships.
Voters in 10 Ohio communities approved bans on large data centers during Tuesday’s election, including voters in Trenton in Butler County. The actions come as Amazon’s multibillion-dollar data center project continues near Jeffersonville in Fayette County, along Interstate 71 between Cincinnati and Columbus.
Residents expressed mixed views about the Amazon project. Fayette County resident Tom Goolsby supported the development if Amazon pays for associated electricity, water and other costs, but called for greater transparency and community benefits. Other Jeffersonville residents cited farmland loss, property-value and tax concerns, and light pollution. Fayette County commissioners have paused new data center projects in several townships, although that decision does not apply to Amazon’s facility already under construction.