ASHTABULA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT · DATA CENTER INFORMATION
Data Center Toolkit for Ashtabula County
A plain-language guide for local officials, residents, and businesses. This page summarizes the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Data Center Toolkit: what data centers are, how they use electricity, cooling and water, how local decisions are made, the project process, jobs and taxes, common resident questions, preparation steps, and practical playbooks.
Source: Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA). Read the full toolkit at ohioeda.com/datacenters.
Informational Disclaimer
This resource is for informational purposes only. It does not recommend for or against any data center project, and it is not legal, tax, engineering, or utility advice. Consult qualified professionals and the original OEDA toolkit for specific decisions.
Source: OEDA Data Center Toolkit
Data Center Essentials
A data center is a secure building that houses computer servers, storage, and network equipment that power the internet, cloud services, and AI. Because these machines run around the clock, data centers depend on two essentials: a large, reliable supply of electricity and a way to remove the heat they produce. Summarized from the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) toolkit at ohioeda.com/datacenters.
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Power & Electricity
Electricity is usually the deciding factor for a data center site. Large facilities can need as much power as a small city, so projects depend on available grid capacity, transmission lines, substations, and backup generation. Utilities and regulators decide how new load is connected and who pays for upgrades, so early conversations with the local utility are essential for any community.
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Cooling & Water
Servers generate heat that must be removed continuously. Some facilities use water-based or evaporative cooling, while others use air or closed-loop systems that use far less water. Water needs vary widely by design, so residents and officials should ask which cooling method is proposed, where water would come from, and how it fits local supply and wastewater capacity.
Informational summary based on the OEDA Data Center Toolkit — ohioeda.com/datacenters. This resource does not recommend for or against any project and is not legal, tax, engineering, or utility advice.
PROCESS & DECISION-MAKING
Local Decision Making
According to the OEDA data center toolkit, many of the most important decisions about a data center project happen locally. Zoning, land use, infrastructure planning, incentives, and public engagement all involve local officials and community input. Understanding the typical project process helps residents, businesses, and leaders ask informed questions early.
Source: Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA). Informational only — not a recommendation for or against any project, and not legal, tax, engineering, or utility advice.
Steps to Prepare Your Community
01
Review zoning and land use. Confirm where data centers may be permitted and what approvals or hearings would apply.
02
Engage utilities early. Talk with electric and water providers about capacity, timelines, and who pays for upgrades.
03
Understand incentives and taxes. Know which tools exist, how agreements work, and what the long-term fiscal picture looks like.
04
Plan public engagement. Share clear information, hold accessible meetings, and answer resident questions about noise, water, and traffic.
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Use the OEDA playbooks. Follow the toolkit's practical checklists to coordinate officials, developers, and residents.
JOBS & TAXES
Economic Impact
Data centers can bring construction work, a smaller number of long-term jobs, and new taxable investment. Actual results depend on each project, local tax agreements, and utility arrangements, so communities should ask for project-specific figures.
Jobs
Many trades jobs during construction; fewer, often skilled, permanent roles in operations, security, and maintenance once running.
Taxes
Large property investments can grow the local tax base for schools and services. Abatements or incentives may change how and when revenue arrives.
Grid
Projects may drive new utility and infrastructure investment. Ask who pays for upgrades and how costs affect other customers.
Source: Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Data Center Toolkit, ohioeda.com/datacenters. Informational only. This is not a recommendation for or against any project, and it is not legal, tax, engineering, or utility advice.
Resident FAQs
Plain-language answers to common questions, summarized from the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) data center toolkit.
Will a data center affect my electric bill or reliability?
Large projects work directly with the utility and grid operators, who study whether new lines, substations, or generation are needed and how those costs are assigned. Residents can ask local officials and the utility how upgrades are planned and paid for.
How much water will it use?
It depends on the cooling design. Some systems use significant water, while closed-loop or air-based systems use much less. Ask for the proposed cooling method and expected water demand early in the process.
What about noise, lighting, and traffic?
Cooling equipment and backup generators can create noise. Construction brings temporary traffic. Local zoning, setbacks, screening, and site plan reviews are the main tools communities use to address these concerns.
How many jobs and how much tax revenue?
Construction can bring many temporary jobs; permanent staffing is usually smaller but skilled. Tax impact depends on project size and any incentive agreements, which are public decisions made by local governing bodies.
How can residents participate?
Attend public meetings for zoning, planning, and incentive decisions, review posted documents, and submit questions to township, city, or county officials.
Official Playbooks
- Prepare: review zoning, identify suitable sites, and understand utility capacity.
- Evaluate: request details on power, cooling, water, noise, and timeline.
- Engage: hold transparent public meetings and share plain-language information.
- Decide: weigh community goals, incentives, and agreements through local processes.
Source: Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA). Get the full toolkit and playbooks at ohioeda.com/datacenters
This resource is informational only. It does not recommend for or against any project and is not legal, tax, engineering, or utility advice.
PRIMARY SOURCE
Further Learning from OEDA
This page summarizes the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Data Center Toolkit. For the complete toolkit, playbooks, and updates, visit ohioeda.com/datacenters.
Source: OEDA Data Center Toolkit — https://ohioeda.com/datacenters
This resource is informational only. It does not recommend for or against any project and is not legal, tax, engineering, or utility advice.