SOUTH BLOOMFIELD, Ohio — South Bloomfield Mayor Aaron Thomas is asking residents to share their opinions on possible future uses for a high-profile property at the corner of State Route 752 and U.S. Route 23 — a site that once drew interest from Kroger nearly two decades ago.
Two data centers are already in the mix in Pickaway County. Amazon announced a 234-acre lot just south of Columbus, but in Pickaway County, in 2024, and just recently, a 152-acre data center is being proposed just on the edge of Commercial Point.
The property, which is now officially for sale, is expected to attract attention from both residential and commercial developers once it appears on major listing websites in the coming week. Mayor Thomas said the village has already met with the real estate group managing the property to discuss potential development opportunities.
“Before they even asked, I said, ‘a grocery store,’” Thomas said. “That’s something I’ll continue to push for because I know how much our community wants it.”
While retail remains a top priority, Thomas said the conversation also touched on another possibility — a data center — which he wants residents to weigh in on.
“We have available land to the north that’s far enough away from residential areas, so I thought I would ask your opinion,” he said. “If a proposal like this ever came forward, we would make sure it’s built our way, not just their way. Any project would need to benefit the community long term.”
Thomas noted that data centers have been expanding rapidly across Ohio, bringing major investments and higher-paying jobs. Such a development, he said, could boost South Bloomfield’s tax base, support infrastructure improvements, and even help fund projects like a new fire department building if state funding falls short.
He emphasized that the village continues to focus on “smart growth” — projects that benefit residents without overburdening the community.
“I’ve always said I want smart growth that benefits all of us — not warehouses or solar fields that give very little back,” Thomas said. “A data center is different from a warehouse. Once it’s built, traffic is minimal, and the income taxes generated would benefit South Bloomfield, the Northgate Alliance, and our school district.”
Thomas is inviting residents to share their feedback directly rather than through social media polls, which he said can be misleading.
“This is not a proposal that’s on the table right now — it’s just a question,” he said. “But I’d like to know if the community would support something like this if it truly benefited us financially.”
Data centers pose drawbacks including high energy and water consumption leading to significant carbon emissions and strained local resources, noise pollution from generators and cooling systems, the rapid generation of electronic waste from frequent hardware upgrades, potential strain on local power grids, traffic congestion from construction and transport, and challenges related to acquiring and retaining skilled labor. While data centers may not strain schools or roadways, they do tap into electric and water usage.
Residents can send their thoughts to Mayor Thomas at [email protected]. His office hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. by appointment.
