Sunbury City Council passes moratorium on data centers

The Sunbury City Council has unanimously voted to enact a moratorium on data center development within the city until January 31, 2027. This decision provides the city administration and council with time to review federal and state laws, as well as local ordinances and zoning codes, and to study the potential impacts of data centers on public health, safety, and the environment. The moratorium comes in response to plans by Amazon to build a $2 billion data center at Sunbury’s new Business and Technology Park. The industrial park, spanning 1,200 acres between State Route 37 and Vans Valley Road, has been eyed by the city as a location for technology-based businesses, citing high-wage job opportunities and tax benefits for public schools. However, community members who attended the council meeting at Big Walnut High School voiced significant concerns. Residents like Joe Fuller, a data center worker, challenged the promise of local job growth, stating that Amazon would not hire from the community. Lee Ann Lander emphasized the need for thorough studies, while Annette McMurry argued that the moratorium doesn't go far enough, calling for a complete halt to any data center development. Francesca Parker questioned the scope and transparency of the proposed studies, suggesting the moratorium could be a management strategy rather than a protection.