{
  "id": 16304459,
  "title": "Map Shows Where Data Centers Are Being Built in Ohio Amid Midterm Debate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/map-shows-where-data-centers-are-being-built-in-ohio-amid-midterm",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-24T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-where-data-centers-are-being-built-in-ohio-amid-midterm-debate-12612161"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ohio's Senate race between Republican Jon Husted and Democratic Sherrod Brown has been impacted by the growing debate over data center development throughout the state. Recent data from activist Erin Brockovich's map reveals that dozens of large AI-focused data center campuses have been established or are currently under development in Ohio. These facilities, which are critical to artificial intelligence infrastructure, have attracted attention from both supporters and critics. While supporters argue that data centers can bring good jobs to communities, critics raise concerns over environmental impact, water usage, increased electricity bills, and noise pollution. Data centers have spread rapidly across rural Ohio, leading to higher utility rates and noise and pollution complaints. University of Cincinnati professor David Niven noted that data centers \"spread like the plague across rural Ohio,\" highlighting their divisive nature in rural counties. Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown was the first statewide candidate to recognize the potential of data centers as an issue, emphasizing the need for transparency and voter trust. A recent Bowling Green State University poll found that a majority of Ohioans oppose data centers in their communities, with 75% opposing and only 25% supporting their construction. Additionally, 63% of Ohioans would oppose data centers being built anywhere in the state, with 78% supporting a temporary ban until more information about their effects can be gathered. AI data centers have primarily been developed around Columbus, which offers access to a large population center. Suburban and conservative counties, such as Licking and Union, have also drawn significant data center investments, leading to backlash. Both candidates have responded to the concerns surrounding data centers. Husted introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act, which aimed to address rising electricity prices for consumers, but it failed in the Senate. He has also highlighted the demand for data centers driven by digital products. Meanwhile, Brown has focused on the need for transparency and voter trust in the decision-making process.",
  "summary": "Data centers have emerged as a flash point in the Ohio Senate race between Sherrod Brown and Jon Husted.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}