--- title: "Ohio Passes Bans and Restrictions on New Data Centers" url: https://newscentral.site/ohio-passes-bans-and-restrictions-on-new-data-centers/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Business" published: 2026-11-04T06:35:39.000Z updated: 2026-11-04T16:34:34.469Z id: e02cd264-8466-42cd-99fb-32dc09b570fe source: "Fortune https://fortune.com/2026/11/04/ohio-data-center-ballot-measures-midterm-elections/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/ohio-passes-bans-and-restrictions-on-new-data-centers/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Ohio Passes Bans and Restrictions on New Data Centers Voters in at least 14 Ohio municipalities passed bans or restrictions on new data centers as part of a growing national trend. Ohio has taken a significant step towards regulating its rapidly expanding data center industry. In local elections held on Tuesday, voters in at least 14 municipalities passed bans or restrictions on new data centers. The move is part of a growing trend across the United States, with 41 ballot measures related to data centers put forward nationwide. Ohio residents voted on 21 of these measures, more than any other state. The state's data center industry is significant, with over 200 operational facilities making it one of the top five in the country. Companies have plans to invest as much as $40 billion in AI infrastructure in Ohio by 2030. This investment is part of a broader national trend, with existing local moratoriums already in place across the state. In total, 125 local data center restrictions are currently in effect in Ohio. The outcome of these elections could have far-reaching implications for the industry. As one expert noted, strong voter turnout against expansion could signal that ratepayer protections and grid safeguards should be prioritized by policymakers nationwide. In central Ohio, a significant trend emerged as residents of five communities voted against data centers in local elections. The results were decisive, with voters rejecting data center measures across all five municipalities. In some areas, the margins were particularly wide, reflecting strong opposition to large-scale development. One notable example is Sunbury, where unofficial vote counts indicate that 100% of residents supported a charter amendment banning data centers using more than 25 megawatts of power. This measure was seen as a direct response to concerns about a potential hyperscale Amazon project in the area. While the fate of this project remains uncertain, the strong voter turnout against it sends a clear signal. Other areas also saw significant opposition to data center development. In Trenton, voters overwhelmingly approved a ban on large data centers by an 80% to 20% margin. This outcome is likely to impact Amazon's plans for a major data center campus in the city, although some construction may already be underway at a nearby site. The trend of rejecting data centers continues across other municipalities. In Perry, voters approved a measure requiring developers seeking tax breaks to offer financial guarantees to the village. Meanwhile, in Wilmington, around 80% of residents rejected rezoning proposals aimed at accommodating a data center project through four separate referendums. In Ashville, voters chose to block a data center campus that is already under construction, while other municipalities such as Conneaut and Defiance also voted on measures to restrict or ban large-scale data centers. In Monroe Township, voters weighed in on zoning restrictions aimed at preserving agricultural land from large-scale data center developments. The proposal was met with overwhelming support, reflecting a growing concern among locals about the impact of these facilities on their communities. Similarly, in Sprigg Township, voters considered implementing zoning restrictions to limit data center construction. This measure also gained traction, underscoring the sentiment that large data centers are not welcome in rural areas. In Wilmington, voters cast ballots on four separate referendums related to rezoning for light industrial use of rural residential sites. These sites were being considered for data center development, and a significant majority opted against the rezoning, indicating a strong desire to protect local character. The opposition to data centers is not unique to Ohio. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 70% of Americans are opposed to having data centers in their local areas. This sentiment is echoed in Ohio, where a survey found that 55% of respondents oppose data center construction in the state. According to Durkin, the negative attitude toward data centers stems from concerns about environmental and economic risks associated with the AI boom. He attributes this skepticism to a lack of understanding about these facilities, which creates uncertainty among the public. The concerns surrounding data centers in Ohio are not limited to one party's ideology. In fact, both Democrats and Republicans have expressed skepticism about these facilities, making it a bipartisan issue. This has allowed Democrats to use data center construction as a wedge issue in the upcoming election. According to experts, data centers have tapped into ideological chords that resonate with both parties. While Democrats may be concerned about climate change, Republicans value environmentalism through land preservation. This shared concern is a key factor in the bipartisan opposition to data centers. The sentiment against data centers is not solely driven by partisan politics. In fact, many people are opposed to these facilities due to concerns about their impact on the environment and quality of life. A recent poll found that the top reason for negative sentiment towards data centers in Ohio was environmental concerns. Despite efforts to promote the benefits of data centers, some groups have been criticized for operating in secrecy and not giving communities a voice. This lack of transparency has contributed to the skepticism surrounding these facilities. A recent investigation revealed that a pro-AI group has spent millions on television advertisements touting the benefits of artificial intelligence technology. Build American AI, linked to Leading the Future, a tech industry super PAC funded by prominent figures in the field, has invested at least $2.54 million in Ohio TV ads. This influx of advertising dollars is part of a larger effort to promote the benefits of data centers and AI technology in Ohio. As the debate over these facilities continues, it remains to be seen whether pro-AI messaging will gain traction with voters. Ohio's recent investment in pro-data center advertising has sparked a debate over the state's reliance on these facilities. The ads, which ran across 16 channels from September 7 to October 21, claimed that data centers have brought $40 billion in investments and created over 95,000 jobs in Ohio. As the debate continues, Democrat Sherrod Brown, who won his Senate seat last Tuesday, has proposed eliminating tax breaks for data center companies. He also wants them to pay for their own utilities, a move that could shift the economic benefits of these facilities back onto the companies themselves. --- Source: [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/11/04/ohio-data-center-ballot-measures-midterm-elections/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/ohio-passes-bans-and-restrictions-on-new-data-centers/