A tiny Ohio town just found a way to make data centers pay
In a state of post-election bliss, John Nicely drove his daily school bus route on Wednesday morning through the tiny town of Perry, Ohio, a few miles south of Lake Erie. “So, when are you taking down the signs, Mr. Nicely?” his students asked him as they filed inside, “because you kicked butt, buddy.” They […]
In Perry, Ohio, a small town of roughly 1,400 people, residents have successfully passed Issue 16, a measure that requires data centers to provide a bond guaranteeing future jobs or tax revenue. This novel approach aims to bind data center operators to their promises, even in the face of potential setbacks like a collapse of the AI industry or shrinking facilities.
The measure comes after a bitter battle over plans for a 230-acre data center that would consume nearly one-sixth of the town's land area. While other towns have banned data centers outright, Perry's Issue 16 offers a more constructive solution by ensuring data centers fulfill their commitments, even if the worst-case scenarios unfold.
The success of Issue 16 in Perry could serve as a blueprint for other small towns looking to build better deals with Big Tech. As the AI boom and data center construction continue to spark controversy, this approach may prove to be a more appealing option for communities seeking to maintain control over their local economies and resources.
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