As plans continue moving ahead for Google’s proposed data center campus in Franklin Furnace, efforts to place a statewide data center ban before Ohio voters have hit a significant delay.
Conserve Ohio, a grassroots group opposing large-scale data center development across the state, announced this week that it will not make the deadline to place its proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this year.
The announcement means voters won’t be weighing in on a statewide data center ban anytime soon, leaving local projects—including Google’s proposed Franklin Furnace campus—to continue moving through existing approval processes.
The group said it has collected more than 70,000 signatures and recruited more than 1,000 volunteers since launching its campaign roughly 10 weeks ago.
“We are not going to be submitting this year,” the organization said in a statement. “Construction won’t be stopping, so signature gathering and community action will not be stopping.”
Instead, organizers now say they are targeting Ohio’s 2027 general election.
Data Centers Remain a Hot Topic Across Ohio
The delay comes as data center development has become one of the most controversial growth issues in Ohio.
Several communities across the state have enacted temporary moratoriums on new data center projects while local officials study potential impacts on water usage, electric demand, traffic, and long-term economic benefits.
At the same time, lawmakers in Columbus are debating a variety of proposals that could change how future data centers operate in Ohio.
So far, however, none of those proposals have become law.
One of the most closely watched measures is House Bill 646, which would reduce future sales tax exemptions for qualifying data center projects from 100% to 50%.
According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio provided approximately $1.57 billion in sales-tax exemptions for data center equipment and construction materials last year.
However, even if House Bill 646 passes, it would not affect existing agreements already in place with companies such as Google, Meta, and Amazon.
What It Means for Scioto County
For residents following Google’s proposed Franklin Furnace project, the latest announcement changes very little in the short term.
Google has already received approval for a Community Reinvestment Area tax abatement from Scioto County Commissioners and has continued moving through environmental reviews, permitting requirements, and community engagement efforts.
The company recently hosted a public information session at Green High School and launched a project website providing details about the proposed development.
Google has described the project as a potential $1 billion investment in Scioto County.
Commissioners have repeatedly emphasized that their vote involved a tax abatement agreement, not approval of the project itself.
Supporters argue the project could bring significant construction activity, new jobs, and long-term investment to the region.
Critics remain concerned about issues including water consumption, electric demand, environmental impacts, and the long-term benefits for local residents.
Debate Continues at State and Local Levels
While the proposed statewide ban appears headed for a later ballot, the broader debate over data centers is far from over.
Ohio lawmakers continue discussing legislation dealing with electric grid capacity, water usage, local control, and tax incentives.
Meanwhile, communities across the state—including Scioto County—are wrestling with the question of how to balance economic development opportunities with concerns about infrastructure, environmental impacts, and quality of life.
For now, one thing is clear: Ohio’s data center boom is continuing, and the conversation surrounding it is likely to remain a major issue for years to come.
