ASHVILLE & COMMERCIAL POINT, OH – While Ashville moves forward with a $102 million EdgeConneX data center, neighboring Commercial Point is gearing up to fight a separate project, highlighting a growing divide in Pickaway County over industrial-scale developments.
Ashville Approves Major Development
The Ashville Village Council voted nearly unanimously to approve a massive development deal with EdgeConneX, a global data center operator. The project includes funding roughly $32 million in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements—critical upgrades the village otherwise could not afford. Supporters argue that the data center will bring long-term economic benefits, including contributions to local schools, township services, and municipal budgets.
The project is now heading to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), which has final authority over the approval of such large energy-related developments. Locals have not aimed to push back on the last decision with public comment letters asking to overturn the project. Most concerns were for the light pollution, 70-plus gas turbines, and the possible pollution from the project.
OPSB Authority: The state board considers public interest, convenience, and necessity, but is not legally required to follow local opposition. Historically, the OPSB has approved projects despite vocal community resistance, though intervenor status can create stricter conditions or delays.
Comparison to Recent Cases
| Project | Location | Status | Outcome |
| Apollo Power (2026) | Wood County | Approved | Natural gas plant for a data center; approved with 34 conditions despite local concerns. |
| Birch Solar (2024) | Allen County | Overturned | Initially blocked by local opposition; the Ohio Supreme Court later ruled the OPSB’s rejection was improper. |
| EdgeConneX | Ashville | Pending | Application expected April 2026; Decision likely October 2026. |
Commercial Point Prepares to Challenge a Separate Data Center
Across the county, Commercial Point is taking a much different approach. Council member Ezekiel Miller, a new council member, expressed deep concern over a proposed data center in the village, warning that the project could threaten the town’s rural identity, farmland, and small-town character.
During a recent council meeting, Miller emphasized:
“We are confronting industrial-scale development that does not reflect the character of our village. This first step may well result in litigation, but we must protect the soul of our community.”
The council has filed motions and moved forward with ordiance opposition that would stop the center from moving forward and is exploring legal avenues to challenge the project, most likely taking the fight to court. While local councils have limited power once a project meets zoning and technical standards, litigation could delay construction or force stricter environmental conditions, but also could cost the village millions of dollars.
Legal Landscape
The contrasting approaches of the two villages underscore Ohio’s complex regulatory environment for data centers:
Zoning and Vested Rights: Ashville’s approval strengthens the project’s standing, while Commercial Point’s attempt to block the project faces potential “regulatory taking” lawsuits if the land is properly zoned and could cost the village millions.
