LORDSTOWN, Ohio – A company is proposing to develop a $3.6 billion data center in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, according to a letter sent to village officials.
The Oct. 28 letter, sent by attorney Cary M. Snyder, a partner in Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLC, Cleveland, on behalf of Bristolville 25 Developer LLC, details what it described as “a transformative project” in the village to be constructed on 133 acres in the two counties.
“What’s being proposed is an extremely exciting opportunity for this community,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
The land for the proposed project is off state Route 45 in Lordstown and North Jackson, Bill D’Avignon, Jackson Township zoning inspector, said Wednesday.
Bristolville, which develops data centers across the country, is “excited to work closely with” the village and is interested in meeting with village officials or appearing at a council meeting, according to the letter, which was sent Oct. 28 to Lordstown Village Council, as well as to Mayor Jackie Woodward, members of council individually and other township officials.
“Bristolville understands that you or residents may have questions, and they are prepared to answer them as needed and as soon as possible,” according to the letter.
Bristolville applied Oct. 20 for a site plan review process that outlines the data center project and site plan, according to the letter. During construction, the $3.6 billion project would employ an estimated 1,600 laborers at peak, and once operational it would employ 120 full-time employees with an average wage of more than $84 per hour.
“Bristolville estimates the project will generate $21 million in direct wages annually and $11.4 million in indirect wages in the region,” Snyder wrote. 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, via the letter, 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 concerns and job creation.
“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 also will commit to a community fund for development of special projects at the mayor’s discretion.
Woodward said village officials should at least hear from company officials and “have a conversation in a public place” to ask questions and hear their responses.
“It all sounds like great things, but at what expense to residents do those things come?” she questioned.
The opportunity surrounding data centers is why chamber officials have suggested that Lordstown takes its time in creating any kind of legislation on such centers, Coviello said. The chamber would provide experts so officials “can fully understand the pros and cons of any aspect of data centers and any aspect of legislation as it pertains to data centers,” he added.
“We want them to make sure that there are no unintended consequences to what they pass,” he continued. “We wouldn’t want legislation that prevents the village and the school system from attracting over 100 extremely high-paying jobs that come with a high level of degreed employment.”
According to documents supplied by Jackson Township, data centers are required to provide certification of available capacity for their anticipated usage from the electric service provider; the water supplier’s certification of capacity; a third-party noise study measured at three different times of the day and days of the week; and details of any enhanced security measures such as lighting, fencing and gated access, if necessary. In addition, no data center shall be closer than 200 feet to a residential structure.