Perry Village government leaders still aiming to hold data center town hall
Perry Village leaders are working to organize a town hall meeting for residents to question Province Group officials about a proposed data center campus. Residents have voiced strong opposition, citing environmental concerns, noise, light pollution, and the project's suitability for the community. The village council and acting mayor are committed to facilitating dialogue between the developer and concerned citizens.
Perry Village government leaders are continuing efforts to arrange a town hall meeting, allowing residents to engage directly with officials from Province Group regarding a proposed data center development. The initiative follows ongoing public concern and a public comment session at a recent Perry Village Council meeting where residents displayed anti-data center signs.
Councilwoman Pamela Jenkins is leading the charge to schedule the town hall, an effort strongly supported by Council President and acting Mayor Elias Coss. Province Group, a California-based real investment and development company, plans to construct a data center campus comprising six 200,000-square-foot buildings on approximately 217 acres of the former Champion Farm property, a significant portion of which is owned by Perry Village. Province has entered into sales agreements with the village, Perry Township, and the Perry Joint Economic Development District, though these transactions are not yet finalized.
While former Mayor James Gessic had highlighted potential economic benefits like tax revenue and job creation, many residents are vocally opposing the project. Their concerns include environmental harm, excessive light and noise, and the belief that a large data center is incompatible with their small, residential community. Acting Mayor Coss has pledged to contact Province Group to emphasize the community's desire for a direct Q&A session in a sufficiently large venue.