Grove City Residents Vote on Data Center Restrictions
Issue 28 proposes a charter amendment requiring citywide votes for large industrial developments, a measure backed by local neighbors and opposed by a coalition funded by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
By Rafael Bailey ·
Ohio voters will face 21 ballot measures related to data centers in the upcoming election, the most of any state. In Grove City, residents will decide on Issue 28, a proposal designed to restrict the construction of large scale server facilities.
The initiative stems from a preliminary plan submitted by Headwaters in May. The developer sought to annex 310 acres southwest of the city for a campus of at least six server warehouses. The site is adjacent to the Spillman family farm, which has operated in the area since 1861. Patricia Spillman declined a purchase offer for her 100 acre property, citing a nearby sale of a 32 acre plot to the developers for $1.5 million.
Local residents formed a coalition called Protect Grove City to push for a permanent regulatory solution after the city council passed a one year moratorium in June. The group drafted a charter amendment known as the Community Consent Amendment. The text does not explicitly name data centers but defines Heavy Industrial Development as projects occupying 50 or more acres, drawing over 20 megawatts of peak power, or consuming more than 500,000 gallons of water daily.
Jen Belt of Protect Grove City explained that the broad definition was intentional to avoid legal challenges similar to those facing Urbana. In Urbana, a developer is suing the city over a direct ban on data centers. Protect Grove City argues that the current language captures hyperscale facilities while remaining neutral. The group negotiated with city officials for several weeks, producing seven drafts before the council rejected an emergency process to add final changes. As a result, the original text became Issue 28.
Opposition to the measure is organized under Save Grove City. Cassie Ferguson, a volunteer for the group, argues the amendment is too broad and could impact other projects, including the planned replacement of Grove City High School. She stated that if the new school triggers the vote requirement, it would delay construction and increase costs. Mayor Ike Stage supports the opposition, noting that the city's law director believes the amendment leaves no room for administrative discretion.
Campaign finance filings for the Franklin County election reveal a disparity in funding. Protect Grove City has raised just over $3,500 from 34 donors. In contrast, Save Grove City has raised $145,000 from eight donors. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which helped establish the No on Issue 28 committee, contributed $50,000. The remaining nearly $100,000 came from construction contractor political action committees.
Adam Rapien of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce described the measure as an inflexible approach that creates barriers to economic growth. He said the chamber worked in coordination with local officials, though he did not name them. The construction industry in Ohio has generally supported data center projects, viewing them as opportunities for construction work despite public concerns about the facilities themselves.
