ASHVILLE, OH – In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Teays Valley School District Board of Education threw its full support behind a development agreement with EdgeConneX. The massive data center project promises a transformative economic windfall for the region, potentially solving the district’s overcrowding crisis without asking taxpayers for a dime.
A Tax-Free Solution to School Crowding
The deal serves as a strategic pivot for a district that has struggled to pass funding levies in 2024 and 2025. With students currently learning in trailers and makeshift classrooms, the board is eyeing the project’s $113 million in alternative funding as a “holy grail” solution.
Under the proposed term sheet, the investment breakdown includes:
- $70 Million Directly to Schools: Earmarked for the construction of much-needed new facilities.
- $32 Million in Infrastructure: Funding critical water and wastewater upgrades for the Village of Ashville—improvements local officials say were previously “unaffordable.”
- Zero Tax Increases: The district emphasized that this revenue would address facility needs without placing any additional financial burden on residents.
The Road to State Approval
While the local school board is all-in, the project’s ultimate fate rests with the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB). As the state authority over energy developments, the OPSB will decide if the data center’s power requirements meet state standards.
Key Upcoming Dates:
- Public Hearing: Wednesday, April 29th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Teays Valley High School.
- Formal Application: Expected by the end of April 2026.
- Final Decision: Projected for October 2026.
Community Concerns: Noise and Turbines
The project isn’t without its critics. Residents have flooded the OPSB with letters of concern regarding the “industrialization” of their rural landscape. Primary anxieties center on:
- Power Generation: The use of 70+ gas turbines to energize the facility.
- Environmental Impact: Potential noise pollution from cooling systems and emissions affecting local air quality.
“Viking Families” Update
In a message to the community, the district reiterated that their responsibility is to provide safe learning environments.
“We heard loud and clear from the community that increasing taxes was not a viable path,” the Board stated. “This development represents one way to meet that responsibility without placing additional financial burden on our residents.”
If the OPSB grants approval this fall, the EdgeConneX project would stand as one of the largest private investments in Pickaway County history, fundamentally shifting how the district manages its “steady growth.”
