ASHVILLE, OH — EdgeConneX officials told the Ashville Village Council this week that the company plans to move forward with development on a 200-acre property already zoned within the village, despite vocal public opposition and ongoing concerns about future expansion.
Council chambers were filled beyond capacity during the meeting, with every seat taken and residents standing along the walls and spilling into the adjoining foyer. The large turnout underscored the growing community interest and concern surrounding the proposed data center project.
Before resuming regular business, Ashville council members and the mayor entered a 45-minute executive session to discuss project-related issues.
During the public meeting, representatives from EdgeConneX addressed several concerns raised by residents, including water use, noise, and environmental impact. Company officials said the data center would use a closed-loop cooling system that would not require frequent refilling and would reduce water consumption. They also emphasized that the facility would not produce visible steam clouds like those seen at other data centers along U.S. 23 toward Columbus.
To mitigate noise, EdgeConneX told council it plans to install noise buffers, earthen mounds, and tree barriers surrounding the property. The facility would be powered by a natural gas line, according to company officials.
EdgeConneX also highlighted potential community benefits, including the creation of 30 to 100 jobs and a proposal to offer an artificial intelligence course at the local high school to help prepare students for future employment at the facility.
Company representatives said they intend to move forward with Phase 1 of the project on land already properly zoned within Ashville. However, they also expressed interest in expanding the project by seeking annexation of an additional 400 acres into the village for future phases.
During the meeting, EdgeConneX referenced ongoing and anticipated EPA compliance issues related to Ashville’s water treatment plant, stating the company would be willing to negotiate contributions toward infrastructure upgrades and school development if annexation and development plans are approved.
Despite those assurances, tensions ran high in the crowd, with several residents speaking out of turn and repeatedly prompting requests from council members and the mayor for civility during the proceedings.
Adding to the debate, representatives from Harrison Township zoning addressed council regarding the CEDA agreement between Ashville, South Bloomfield, Harrison Township, and Pickaway County. They pointed to the agreement’s focus on responsible growth and referenced a prior verbal understanding that Ashville would not annex land north of St. Paul Road — an area included in the proposed expansion.
Village officials noted that while the first phase of the project is already properly zoned — potentially limiting council’s ability to block it — future phases would require both rezoning and annexation approval. Monday night’s meeting marked the first reading in the annexation process. Three readings are required before a final council vote, which could take place in the coming weeks.
In December, Ashville leaders voted to impose a 180-day pause on new data center projects. While annexation discussions can continue during that period, no development activity on the data center itself can move forward until the moratorium expires.
