LORE CITY, Ohio — Residents, local officials and state lawmakers gathered Thursday evening in Guernsey County to learn more about what a future data center project could mean for the area and how the public can influence the process if development moves forward.
The educational town hall, hosted by the Guernsey County Farm Bureau at Buckeye Trail High School, featured a presentation from Dale Arnold, the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Director of Energy, Utility and Local Government Policy. Throughout the evening, Arnold emphasized that local communities have significant opportunities to shape large-scale development through public participation, permitting requirements and negotiated agreements.
The meeting follows discussions earlier this summer between the Guernsey County Commissioners and representatives of Smart Energy Partners, who introduced an early-stage concept for a potential data center in the county. Commissioners have said no location was identified during that meeting and that no formal proposal has been submitted.
Commissioners Bill Cowgill, Jack Marlin and Dave Wilson attended Thursday’s forum, along with state Reps. Ty Moore and Adam Holmes.
County officials said they organized the informational session to better understand the issue before making any future decisions.
Rather than encouraging or opposing data center development, Arnold focused on explaining the regulatory process and the role local governments and residents play before projects receive approval.
He said modern data centers are becoming increasingly important as demand grows for cloud computing, online services and artificial intelligence, making new facilities more common across the country.
Much of the presentation centered on the Ohio Power Siting Board, which oversees major energy infrastructure projects. Arnold explained that developers must address issues such as electrical demand, water use, cooling systems, emergency response planning, noise and environmental impacts before receiving state approval.
He encouraged residents to participate early in the process, noting that communities can negotiate legally binding agreements covering infrastructure improvements, environmental safeguards, workforce development, emergency services, utility investments and other local priorities.
The discussion also included House Bill 15, which allows qualifying data center projects to build on-site power generation under certain state requirements to help meet growing energy demands.
Audience members raised questions about water consumption, electric grid capacity, taxes, noise, infrastructure and the long-term effects a large-scale development could have on Guernsey County.
Arnold said newer facilities continue to improve efficiency through advances in cooling technology but acknowledged that data centers can require significant utility resources. He also reviewed Ohio’s permitting process and encouraged residents to stay informed by following public meetings, monitoring property transactions and participating in future hearings if a proposal is formally introduced.
County commissioners reiterated that no data center project has been approved and that many questions remain unanswered.
Officials have also noted that because Guernsey County does not have countywide zoning, the county has limited authority over private land sales and land-use decisions. However, commissioners said they do have authority over potential tax abatements and requests for public infrastructure assistance.
Commission President Jack Marlin has previously stated the board unanimously agreed it will not support tax abatements or infrastructure assistance for a data center until state lawmakers complete ongoing work surrounding the industry and county officials have a clearer understanding of any project’s economic and environmental impacts.
“If a developer wants a data center in Guernsey County, they’ll have to do it without tax abatements and through a private land sale,” Marlin previously said.
The meeting concluded with organizers encouraging residents to continue learning about the issue and remain engaged should a formal proposal come before the community in the future.
