As Ohio’s data centers face mounting political and public scrutiny, the industry has significantly increased its lobbying and public relations efforts. The Data Center Coalition, a trade association representing the industry, has hired over 50 lobbyists to advocate on their behalf at the statehouse. Notably, major players like Google and Meta have engaged 19 and 14 lobbyists, respectively, while other developers such as QTS, CyrusOne, and Vantage have also enlisted their own representatives.
Advertising and Public Engagement
In addition to lobbying, the Data Center Coalition’s national arm has launched a nonprofit, Connected Ohio, which has spent over $10,000 on Facebook ads since late May. These ads emphasize the role of data centers in supporting healthcare, education, and public safety, while also highlighting the creation of 84,000 jobs and significant tax revenue for local services. Josh Levi, president of the Data Center Coalition, stated that the initiative aims to educate Ohioans about the benefits data centers provide to both the state and local communities.
Political and Economic Context
The increased lobbying and advertising efforts come in response to political scrutiny over tax breaks for the industry. Recent data from the Ohio Department of Taxation revealed that a sales tax exemption for data centers cost the state $1.6 billion in 2025, far exceeding initial forecasts. In response, Governor Mike DeWine has temporarily paused the issuance of new tax credits until the General Assembly’s newly formed Select Committee on Data Centers completes its review and issues recommendations.
Ohio has seen substantial investments from the data center industry, with Google investing over $20 billion and Amazon projecting $23 billion by 2030. Cologix, another major player, has committed more than $7 billion, recently receiving a new tax break. These investments underscore the industry’s significant economic impact on the state.
Lobbying Strategies
The data center industry’s lobbying efforts include hiring politically connected figures, such as Michael Hall, former chief of staff to Governor DeWine, and Spencer Gross, associated with House Speaker Matt Huffman’s office. This strategy reflects a common approach used by industries to navigate political landscapes and influence policy decisions.
Overall, the data center industry’s response to political pressure highlights the complex interplay between economic development, public policy, and community engagement in Ohio.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
