Hope and concern swirls for Ohioans around ‘world’s largest datacenter’

A sprawling AI data center, dubbed "the world's largest," is set to take shape in Piketon, a small town in southern Ohio. The project, backed by OpenAI, Nvidia, and Japanese investors, promises to generate a colossal amount of AI computing power, valued at $500bn. Last March, key figures from the U.S. government, including the energy and commerce secretaries, joined Japanese dignitaries to break ground on the ambitious project.

However, the news of the data center's impending construction has ignited a mix of hope and concern among local residents. Mayor Billy Spencer has expressed both optimism and skepticism regarding the project. "Personally, my emotions range between positive and skeptical," he admits. "There hasn't been much talk about it, and no one has come to council with concerns."

SB Energy, a subsidiary of Japanese bank SoftBank Group Corp., will own and operate the project, while OpenAI will lease the computing capacity for 20 years. The data center is slated to open in 2028, with plans for a natural gas plant to be built nearby to meet its massive energy demands. The project is expected to be funded partly by a $33bn investment from Japan.

Environmental groups have raised concerns about the project's potential impact on the environment and public health. Part of the site is situated on a decommissioned uranium enrichment facility, which operated for nearly 60 years until 2001. Local communities have long blamed the facility, known as the "A-Plant," for fueling above-average cancer rates and various health issues. In 2019, a nearby middle school had to close due to high radiation levels detected in the building.

In 2025, Japan agreed to invest $550bn in the U.S. in exchange for lower tariffs on Japanese products. This deal, which could be altered by a new administration after the 2028 presidential election, has fueled speculation about the project's future. Mayor Spencer acknowledges that the project is part of Japan's motivation but emphasizes that American politics could change the situation.

The allure of the project's financial benefits has not gone unnoticed in Pike County, where the poverty rate is nearly double the national average. The data center promises to create around 35,000 construction jobs and 2,500 long-term operating jobs. However, environmentalists warn of the numerous issues associated with the plan. Building a natural gas power plant could lead to the release of significant amounts of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, contributing to climate change and public health risks.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, natural gas combustion accounts for about 35% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions. Additionally, the construction phase could require up to two million gallons of water for waste purposes. Residents, including Mayor Spencer, have previously voiced opposition to a $650m waste disposal facility at the site, which would store low-level radioactive and other materials from the disassembled uranium-enrichment plant.

SB Energy, however, assures that extensive site reviews and due diligence have been conducted and that the company has committed to accelerated cleanup and remediation efforts. The company also claims that Ohio ratepayers won't bear the cost of connecting the facility to the local electricity grid, and the additional electricity generated will be fed back into the grid, benefiting local customers.