Scioto County residents are finally getting a clearer picture of what Google’s planned Franklin Furnace development could look like—and why county commissioners decided to support it despite ongoing controversy.
At Thursday’s commissioners meeting, Commissioner Scottie Powell said the board’s support for the project came down largely to one thing:
Trust in Google itself.
“Our decision was based on the partner, not the project,” Powell said.
Why Commissioners Say They Backed Google
The proposed development—nicknamed “Project Dazzler”—has sparked heated debate in Scioto County over concerns involving water use, environmental impact, traffic, power usage, and the changing face of rural Green Township.
Commissioners have repeatedly said they did not have the authority to stop the private landowners from selling the property or prevent a data center from being built there.
Instead, Powell said the county focused on who would be building it.
“When you look specifically at Google and their conservation efforts and what they’re doing in terms of providing more fresh water into the system than they take out, that mattered,” Powell said.
He also said Google appears to be taking steps to protect wetlands impacted by development.
“I know they’ve been very mindful of the wetlands up there,” Powell said. “It looks like they are attempting to buy wetland permits elsewhere to maintain wetlands while they are able to develop this site.”
Google Launches Public Website
Google has now launched a public information website for the project:
The site includes:
- 3D renderings of the proposed development
- Construction timelines
- Information about roads, traffic, water, and energy
- Details about jobs and economic impact
According to the website, Project Dazzler is planned as:
- A $1 billion investment
- A 500,000 square-foot data center complex
- Additional support buildings, including office space
- A location more than 1,000 feet east of Gallia Pike (Old U.S. 52)
The project would also include a new electrical substation being constructed separately by AEP Ohio.
Construction Timeline Released
The website also gives residents their first look at a projected construction schedule.
According to the timeline:
- 2026 – Construction setup begins
- 2026-2027 – Major site work
- 2027 – Foundations and building shell construction
- 2027-2029 – Interior construction and mechanical/electrical yard work
That means if the project moves forward on schedule, construction activity could continue for several years.
Public Open House Scheduled
Google is also planning a public information fair where residents can meet directly with project representatives and engineers.
Community Information Fair
Thursday, May 14, 2026
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Green High School
4057 Gallia Pike, Franklin Furnace
According to the announcement, residents will be able to ask questions about:
- Water and environmental concerns
- Traffic and roads
- Energy and power usage
- Jobs and economic impact
- Construction timelines
Google described the event as part of its commitment to “transparency, open dialogue, and the establishment of a long-term working partnership.”
Still a Divisive Project
Even with the new information, the project remains controversial.
Packed commissioners meetings over the last several months have included residents voicing fears about:
- Water consumption
- Increased electricity demand
- Noise and pollution
- Long-term environmental impact
- NDAs and transparency issues
Supporters, meanwhile, argue the project could bring:
- Hundreds of jobs
- Long-term construction work
- New tax revenue
- Major economic momentum for Southern Ohio
The Bottom Line
For the first time since the project was announced, residents can now see detailed renderings, timelines, and public plans tied to the proposed Google development.
And county leaders say their support came down to more than just economics.
They say they believed the company behind the project mattered just as much as the project itself.
