ASHVILLE, Ohio — The Ashville Village Council is continuing to debate a proposed development agreement tied to a planned data center project, with some members saying the village may have little choice but to move forward as it faces tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades.
Council is currently considering Resolution 06-2026, which would approve a development and supply agreement summary between the village and data center developer EdgeConneX. The proposal outlines a financial support package that could bring up to $102 million in funding to the Village of Ashville, Harrison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio and the Teays Valley Local School District.
During a recent council meeting, Councilman Burke acknowledged he has historically opposed placing the data center at the proposed location but said the village may now be forced to deal with the reality of the project.
“We are getting a data center,” Burke said during the meeting. “Most of us on council have had this situation passed down on us. We are just trying to deal with it.”
Burke also pointed to ongoing pressure from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding Ashville’s aging water treatment infrastructure. The village faces an estimated $32 million in required upgrades to its water and sewer systems, which officials say has added urgency to the negotiations. With fear of EPA taking over the system and doing the upgrades themselves, possibly costing the village more than the 32 million, and adding long-term oversight taking control away from the village for many years to come.
Proposed Funding Breakdown
Under the current proposal, the financial package would include:
- $64 million for Teays Valley Schools for capital improvements, contingent on school board support for the energy facility. The district has struggled for years to pass levies to address overcrowded schools.
- Up to $3 million for the Harrison Township Fire Department for training and equipment.
- Up to $35 million placed in escrow for EPA-mandated infrastructure improvements in Ashville, including upgrades to water, sewer and road systems.
Additional funding could become available if the village later annexes roughly 486 acres north of the project site and approves a Community Reinvestment Area agreement. That potential funding includes:
- $10 million to Harrison Township
- Up to $32 million to Teays Valley Schools
- Up to $32 million toward construction of a new village water plant and wastewater treatment expansion
Village officials noted that annexation is not required under the current proposal, and council previously denied an annexation request tied to the project.
Infrastructure Plans and Timeline
Under the proposed agreement, EdgeConneX would extend a 12-inch water main to the site at its own expense. The village would provide 50,000 gallons per day of water and wastewater capacity by May 31, 2027, while the company would pay its proportional share of future wastewater expansion tied to the facility’s needs.
The developer has also offered up to $100,000 to help the village hire legal, engineering and professional advisors to review the project.
EdgeConneX has requested an expedited timeline for approvals, with a final development agreement targeted for early May and submission to the Ohio Power Siting Board by the end of April. A state decision could come by October 2026, with construction potentially beginning shortly after if approvals are granted.
Debate Among Council and Residents
The proposal has sparked debate among council members and residents.
Some council members argued that outside officials — including leaders from neighboring townships — have voiced opinions about the project but will not bear the financial burden if infrastructure costs fall on village residents.
One council member noted that without outside funding, residents could face water bill increases of around $125 per month to cover infrastructure improvements.
Several residents spoke against the project during the meeting, raising concerns about environmental impacts, energy generation and long-term community effects. One resident who lives near the proposed site expressed support, saying the financial benefits could help the village address long-standing infrastructure problems.
Next Steps
The resolution remains on the agenda and will move to a third reading before council takes a final vote.
If approved, it would also suspend the village’s data center moratorium adopted in December 2025, specifically allowing the EdgeConneX project to proceed.
