I think it’s time that someone sound the alarm on data centers in Wood County. We may be seeing the beginning of something much bigger than even our elected officials envisioned. While residents were left in the dark on what was coming, people are starting to come to grips with what it all means. Water demand, electric usage, water contamination, noise pollution, rising air temperatures and smells coming off data centers. Not to mention the appearance of all the power lines and structures going to these facilities.
What do I mean by sounding the alarm? What is going on in Middleton Township now is just the beginning of what may be the largest stretch of data centers in the country. Could there be as many as 25 data centers built between Bowling Green and Perrysburg? The answer is yes! Meta has already purchased 25 parcels of land and are looking for more. Currently with the rezoning of additional acreage and the gas powered electric plant being built, their total foot print is now approaching two thousand acres. There are thousands of acres of open land still available between Bowling Green and Perrysburg and Meta wants it.
We must slow this growth down, step back and reassess.
On January 6th at 5:30 p.m., the county planning commission will hold their public monthly meeting on the 5th floor of the courthouse in Bowling Green. I am asking that Wood County residents attend this meeting and request a one year moratorium on data centers in Wood County. We must act now before it’s too late.
Mark Patton
Bowling Green
