Dubai-based DAMAC Digital plans community forum on data center in southeast Canton
DAMAC Digital is hosting a community forum on July 14 in southeast Canton, Ohio, to present details and gather feedback on its planned data center. This comes as the Canton City Council prepares to vote on updated zoning laws for data centers on July 27, amidst significant community opposition regarding environmental impacts and resource usage.
DAMAC Digital, a Dubai-based global digital infrastructure provider, is set to host a community forum on July 14 at the Edward Peel Coleman Community Center in southeast Canton, Ohio. The forum aims to provide details and solicit feedback on the company's proposed "Canton Orchard View project," a new data center. Hussain Sajwani, founder of DAMAC Group, emphasized a commitment to responsible and eco-friendly development, investing in Canton's future while safeguarding local resources.
The planned facility would be the third hyperscale data center in Stark County, following Bitdeer's crypto mining facility in Massillon and Amazon's data center under construction in Perry Township. DAMAC Digital owns over 80 acres northeast of Trump Avenue SE and Orchard View Drive SE, having recently obtained a demolition permit.
Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II confirmed the city is working with DAMAC and encourages residents to participate in the conversation. Concurrently, the Canton City Council is in the process of updating its zoning laws specifically to regulate modern data centers, addressing concerns like noise and utility usage, with a vote scheduled for July 27.
The announcement comes amidst considerable community opposition, with residents packing recent government meetings in Perry Township and Canton to express concerns about data center impacts. Canton resident Christine Gingerich is actively petitioning for the Conserve Ohio initiative, seeking a statewide ban on new data centers over 25 megawatts, citing issues like energy, water consumption, and noise.