State Representatives Demetriou, Workman Introduce Legislation Addressing Public Costs and Community Impacts of Data Center Development

State Representatives Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) have introduced legislation to address the growing public costs and community impacts associated with large scale data center development in Ohio.

As data center projects continue to expand across the state, the legislation aims to ensure that economic development does not come at the expense of taxpayers, ratepayers, farmland, or local communities.

The bill would prohibit public financial support, including tax incentives, grants, loans, or similar assistance, for new data center projects and establish reasonable safeguards on where facilities may be constructed, including protections for prime farmland, public land, and residential neighborhoods. 

Additionally, the legislation ensures that developers bear the costs of necessary infrastructure upgrades, including generation and grid improvements attributable to their projects, rather than shifting those costs onto existing customers.

“Ohio should welcome innovation and investment, but not at the expense of our communities or taxpayers,” said Rep. Demetriou. “This legislation ensures that large scale data center development moves forward responsibly, without relying on public subsidies or placing additional financial burdens on Ohio families.”

“We want economic growth that strengthens Ohio, not growth that displaces farmland, increases utility costs, or shifts infrastructure expenses onto working families and small businesses,” said Rep. Workman “This bill establishes clear guardrails so development can occur in a way that is transparent, fair, and fiscally responsible.”

The legislation allows data center development to proceed in Ohio provided projects do not rely on public subsidies, displace communities or prime agricultural land, or raise electricity costs for constituents. 

This bill awaits a number and committee assignment.