For the second week in a row, a standing-room-only crowd packed the Scioto County Commissioners meeting to weigh in on a proposed data center project tied to a potential tax abatement in northern Scioto County.
The January 15 meeting followed last week’s heated discussion over whether the county should offer tax incentives connected to a proposed billion-dollar data center development near Franklin Furnace. Once again, commissioners stressed that the decision before them is not about whether a data center will be built — but whether Scioto County wants a seat at the table by negotiating a tax abatement.
A Full Agenda — and a Full Room
Before turning to public comments, commissioners worked through their regular business, approving reports, fund transfers, equipment inventories, library board minutes, and policy updates.
They also passed a resolution commending New Boston firefighters for assisting residents of Buckeye Towers during a recent elevator failure that temporarily trapped residents inside the building.
Even as routine business continued, more residents streamed into the room, underscoring just how much attention the proposed project has drawn.
Prayer, Perspective, and a Clear Signal on the Vote
Commissioner Merit Smith opened the meeting with prayer, thanking residents for showing up and asking for guidance so everyone could be heard respectfully.
“As we go through this,” Smith said, “we’re going to hear a lot of different thoughts.”
Smith also reiterated his position from last week: unless something major changes, he intends to vote in favor of the tax abatement.
Powell: “What Major Development Have We Had in 20 Years?”
Commissioner Scottie Powell took time to directly address concerns — and frustrations — he’s heard from residents.
Powell noted that his personal cell phone number had been shared online following last week’s meeting, prompting a lot of calls and messages.
“That got me thinking,” Powell said. “I’ve had this number for 25 years. And we hear it all the time — ‘there’s nothing here.’”
He challenged residents to name a major economic development project in the county over the last two decades.
“The best I could come up with was the Haverhill Coke Plant,” Powell said, noting it received a 100% tax abatement for 10 years, promised 67 jobs, and made a $150,000 payment in lieu of taxes, with about $87,000 going to schools.
“That was 2003,” he said. “That’s the last major development.”
What the Vote Is — and What It Is Not
Powell repeatedly emphasized a point commissioners have made since the discussion began:
“We are not deciding whether a data center comes to Scioto County.”
Commissioners:
- Do not control the land
- Do not control zoning
- Do not issue permits
“All we are determining,” Powell said, “is whether we want to incentivize a company to invest in Scioto County.”
Under the proposed Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) terms:
- The project is estimated at $1 billion
- It includes 50+ permanent jobs
- It requires engagement with local trade unions
- The tax abatement would be 75% on improvements, not land
Why the PILOT Matters
Powell spent significant time explaining the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) — a key part of the agreement.
- Without an abatement, estimated taxes would be about $2 million per year (not counting land)
- The proposal includes a $500,000 annual PILOT
- Schools still receive full land taxes plus revenue from the remaining 25% of improvements
If the project expands:
- Two phases → PILOT rises to about $900,000
- Three phases → PILOT could reach $1.3 million
- Additional phases could mean millions more for local schools and townships
“Why are we giving something away?” Powell asked rhetorically. “Because we’re trying to be competitive.”
He also pushed back on the idea that data centers only target Appalachia.
“There are about 200 data centers in Ohio,” Powell said. “About 150 of them are in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. This industry has historically passed us over.”
“We Have a Seat at the Table Now”
Smith added that he reviewed current tax payments on the property.
“That land brings in about $175,000 a year right now,” he said. “That continues until there’s a building. Once there’s a building, estimated taxes go to $500,000.”
“Yes, if we kept all the taxes it would be more,” Smith said. “But we wouldn’t have a say in anything. We have a seat at the table now — and we used it to require local unions.”
Public Concerns: Environment, Trust, and Past Regrets
Residents continued to raise concerns about:
- Environmental impacts
- Water use
- Noise and light pollution
- Transparency
- Long-term job benefits
Several speakers referenced the Sun Coke plant, saying Green Township residents still view that project as a cautionary tale.
“We changed the landscape,” one resident said. “And it’s not what we bargained for.”
Others pointed out that Franklin Furnace often feels overlooked.
“We’re just an exit off 52,” one resident said. “People see that land and think, ‘it’s just Franklin Furnace.’”
Powell acknowledged those concerns but noted the state has identified the site as a potential mega-development location for years.
“The face of Franklin Furnace is going to change,” he said. “Whether it’s this — or something else.”
Labor Voices Push Back
Union leaders again spoke in favor of the project.
An IBEW Local 175 representative said he has sent 4,500 workers to job sites over the last few years — most of them well outside Scioto County.
“Out of those 4,500,” he said, “only about 250 were sent to Scioto County.”
He challenged the idea that data centers create few jobs, noting that facilities are constantly being upgraded.
“I worked at the Facebook data center in New Albany in 2019,” he said. “They’re redoing it for the third time — with hundreds of electricians still working.”
“This is the only significant project in Scioto County right now,” he added. “And we are hiring.”
Bobby Cole of the Plumbers and Pipefitters union echoed that support.
“We’ve worked for years to get something on that property,” Cole said. “This could be a 10- to 15-year project with millions flowing through this community.”
What Happens Next
Commissioners again emphasized that the upcoming vote is only on the tax abatement agreement, not zoning or site approval.
Powell closed by repeating a question he said the county must now face:
“For the first time in decades, major developers are looking at Appalachia. Are we going to be the ones who say we don’t want it?”
The commissioners are expected to continue hearing public input ahead of the scheduled vote later this month.