Cleveland building trades leader knocks Cuyahoga County’s data center guidelines
The executive secretary of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, Dave Wondolowski, has publicly rejected new data center guidelines from Cuyahoga County. The guidelines favor local moratoriums to update zoning rules due to strain on resources, which Wondolowski criticized as "anti-innovation" and detrimental to union jobs. This opposition emerged during a Cleveland City Council hearing discussing legislation for a temporary pause on new data center developments.
Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council executive secretary Dave Wondolowski has voiced strong opposition to new data center guidelines issued by Cuyahoga County, labeling them as "anti-innovation." The county's guidelines express support for local data center moratoriums, which would allow cities to update their zoning regulations in response to the pressure hyperscale facilities place on energy and other resources.
Wondolowski formally rejected these guidelines in a letter to County Executive Chris Ronayne, arguing that Northeast Ohio is falling behind Central Ohio due to such policies. He asserted that a "NO GROWTH" stance exacts a significant cost on Cuyahoga County residents and eliminates skilled trades jobs, benefitting "wealthy elitist environmental interests."
This dispute comes as the Cleveland City Council held a hearing this week to discuss proposed legislation that would temporarily pause new data center developments. The issue highlights a broader conflict between Wondolowski and Ronayne, who have previously disagreed on issues such as a new Browns stadium and Wondolowski's appointment to the Port of Cleveland board.