Athens County Commissioners Pass Resolution Opposing Data Center Construction
The Athens County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a non-binding resolution opposing data center construction in the county. This action follows an inquiry from Saadia Holding LLC about building a data center in Athens Township, raising concerns about infrastructure, environmental impact, and community resources. The commissioners have stated they will not extend sewer lines to serve such a facility.
The Athens County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday, August 8, formally opposing the construction of data centers within Athens County, Ohio. The resolution, based on a draft presented by concerned citizens, states that it is not in the county's best interest to support data center development due to "significant legitimate public interests." Commissioner Lenny Eliason, Charlie Adkins, and Chris Chmiel all voted in favor of the measure, following a review by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.
Although countywide zoning is not in place, rendering the resolution non-binding, Roxanne Groff, a former commissioner and advisory board member of Buckeye Environmental Network, highlighted its importance as a strong statement to companies considering data center projects in the area. The commissioners' decision was partly prompted by an inquiry from Saadia Holding LLC, a New York e-commerce company, regarding permitting for a proposed data center on 300 acres in Athens Township.
Local residents, particularly those in The Plains, have expressed significant opposition, citing concerns about the proposed site's proximity to Athens High School, the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, and residential areas. Broader concerns include inadequate water and power infrastructure, potential stormwater issues, and risks to ancient mounds from the Wolf Plains Mound Group located on the property. Commissioner Eliason stated that the county would not extend sewer lines to serve the proposed facility, emphasizing the lack of infrastructure.
Commissioner Adkins also voiced strong opposition, criticizing the negative community impact of data centers, including competition for essential resources and increased utility bills. He further lambasted state government policies that offer tax breaks to data center companies while reducing county funding for public services. Adkins reiterated his stance, stating he does "not support the building of data centers in Athens County" and supports the resolution to provide "peace of mind" to residents.