LORDSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has offered to assist village officials by arranging discussions with “neutral, third party experts” who could provide information on the data center industry, its president and CEO said Tuesday.

The gesture comes after Lordstown Village Council rescinded legislation Monday night that had called for a ban on data centers in the village. 

“We appreciate Lordstown Council creating space to gather information, ask questions and learn more about the data center industry,” Guy Coviello said in a statement. “Stepping back from a ban ensures the village has the time needed to fully understand a rapidly evolving and technically complex industry.”

Bristolville 25 Developer LLC in late October said it has plans to construct a $3.6 billion data center on 133 acres – most of which is located along state Route 45 in the village. Approximately 30 acres is situated in North Jackson in Mahoning County.

Village Council on Nov. 3 voted unanimously to ban future data centers from the village. During that meeting, many residents voiced concerns over water usage and energy consumption needed to power these data centers, as well as the noise that they believe is generated from these developments. Those who spoke out against the development said they feared their water rates and electricity bills would skyrocket as a result.

The ordinance would have gone into effect Dec. 3. Instead, Village Council is considering a 180-day moratorium at its next meeting Jan. 5.

“The Chamber would be happy to assist by convening neutral, third-party experts and facilitating those discussions to help ensure well-informed decisions,” Coviello said in the statement.

On Nov. 12, attorneys representing Bristolville and property owner BHGH Properties filed a petition before the Ohio Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus directing the village to abide by Ohio law by “accepting, reviewing, and acting upon Bristolville’s submission and to do so throughout the site plan review process,” court papers say.

The developers said the village has not followed the proper review procedure and that there was no ban in place when it first submitted its plans to the zoning department for consideration Oct. 20. 

Matthew Ries, Lordstown village solicitor, said the village has complied with all laws and procedures. 

Ries told The Business Journal last month that following an initial review, there were many deficiencies noted with the data center’s submission. These include the lack of stormwater management plans and utility information, while there was also no account for wetlands and no preliminary planning and evaluation form submitted, he noted.

Bristolville estimates the project will generate $21 million in direct wages annually and $11.4 million in indirect wages in the region. It also is expected to generate more than $1 million in new state and local income tax revenues annually and millions of dollars in local property taxes.   

The company also said representatives are prepared to discuss ways to assist the village and looks forward to “providing solutions for any concerns,” including water needs, noise and traffic and job creation, the company said in a letter to village officials in October. 

“Bristolville understands the village’s critical water infrastructure upgrade needs, estimated at approximately $15 million in total” and is willing to support village initiatives, “including but not limited to providing the remaining $10.8 million balance not covered by state grants to address water issues,” the company’s letter states.

The company also would commit to a community fund for development of special projects at the mayor’s discretion.