WHEELING, W.Va. — Questions surrounding a proposed data center development in Wheeling continued Tuesday as residents called for more information about the project and its potential impact on the community.
During a public hearing, residents questioned representatives and city officials about plans associated with Silicon Foundation. All members of Wheeling City Council were invited to attend, but two council members were present.
According to information presented at the meeting, the proposed development would initially include a 10-megawatt data center. David Croft, a representative for Silicon Foundation, said the property would also be used to manufacture modular units for the data center industry.
Croft said the manufacturing operation is expected to support approximately 30 long-term jobs, while the data center itself would employ about five people. He also said the facility would use a closed-loop system and would be powered by natural gas.
Several residents asked city leaders to consider safeguards or restrictions before the project advances, citing concerns about the amount of information currently available. Others urged officials to slow the process until more details about the development and its potential effects can be evaluated.
Members of Organized Residents of Ohio County also expressed frustration over what they described as difficulty obtaining direct answers from city officials.
However, council members attending the meeting said there is currently no action involving the project awaiting a City Council vote.
Ward 5 Councilman Ty Thorngate explained that the property transaction involves private entities and that no zoning change or other project-related matter has been presented to council that would require official action.
Thorngate said council members are working to understand the information surrounding the proposal but cannot vote on an issue that has not formally come before them.
The meeting comes amid growing discussion over data center development in Wheeling and elsewhere in the Ohio Valley. For now, the proposed project remains the subject of questions from residents, while city officials maintain that no related zoning change or other matter is currently pending before council.
