Proposed data center projects are drawing attention across the Mahoning and Shenango valleys as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure grows. Proposals range from a $3.6 billion campus in Lordstown to redevelopment projects at former industrial sites in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

While developers see opportunity in the region’s power infrastructure and available land, some communities are raising concerns about electricity use, water consumption and potential impacts on residents.

The Dilemma Over AI Data Centers