Ashville residents to vote on data center referendum
Ashville residents in Pickaway County are voting on a referendum concerning the village's development and supply agreement with EdgeConneX, which is building two data centers. A no vote would not stop construction already underway but would remove several benefits and protections the agreement provides to the company.
Construction of two EdgeConneX data centers has begun near Ashville, creating a new backdrop for local youth soccer games as village residents vote on the project in the November election. The referendum asks voters whether to uphold the village's development and supply agreement with the company.
A yes vote would preserve the agreement, while a no vote would overturn it. The agreement states that future changes to village law cannot restrict the project and that the village will not object to EdgeConneX's wastewater or environmental-impact strategies. Because construction has already started, the referendum would not halt the work, but it could eliminate significant benefits the company receives from the village.