Chillicothe City Council hears plans for data center
Chillicothe City Council heard a presentation from Ohio-based Alignment Engine regarding its plans to convert a portion of a former paper mill into a data hall. While the project promises 240 permanent jobs and a $500 million investment without property tax abatements, residents expressed mixed reactions, raising concerns about water usage, noise, and pollution. The proposal comes amidst a 60-day moratorium on new data centers enacted by the city council.
Chillicothe, Ohio, held a city council meeting to discuss the future of a former paper mill site. Ohio-based Alignment Engine presented its plans to transform a section of the facility into a "data hall," a term the company prefers over "data center" to emphasize the use of an existing structure rather than new construction. This proposal, which involves a $500 million investment and promises 240 permanent jobs, is currently under consideration while the city council has a 60-day moratorium on new data centers in effect.
Residents showed a mixed reaction to the presentation. Many expressed enthusiasm for the job creation, and Alignment Engine stated it would not seek property tax abatements. However, some residents voiced concerns regarding potential impacts on water resources, noise levels, and pollution. Alignment Engine countered these concerns by highlighting that using an existing facility means many systems are already in place, reducing the need to start from scratch.
Despite the ongoing moratorium, city council members confirmed that the project would proceed through normal regulatory processes. Alignment Engine emphasized its openness to continued dialogue with residents and expressed optimism about the project's potential benefits for Chillicothe.