Residents of the village of Genoa, Ohio, are mobilizing to prevent a large‑scale data center from being built on 430 acres south of State Route 163 along Reiman Road. The effort is part of a broader movement across the state, where 18 Ohio communities have already voted down data‑center proposals.
Local activism and proposed charter
Marc Hanneman, spokesperson for Residents Against Genoa Environmental Destruction, says the group wants to protect the community’s water resources, wildlife, and quality of life. “If we sit back and let it roll over us, we’ll get it,” Hanneman warned, urging neighbors to exercise their rights as citizens of a peaceful, loving community.
The village annexed the property three years ago, prompting studies of potential development. Hanneman argues the land could be better used for housing, greenhouses, or warehouses, rather than a data‑center that would bring noise and light pollution to nearby neighborhoods.
Charter as a tool for local control
Because Genoa does not currently have a municipal charter, residents are exploring the creation of one to give the village authority to set guardrails on future development. “We’re looking into a charter, turning our village into a charter,” Hanneman explained, noting that other Ohio towns have added bans or restrictions to their charters to block similar projects.
In partnership with the statewide advocacy group Conserve Ohio, the residents plan to collect signatures at the Genoa Retirement Center on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., near the proposed site. The goal is to place a referendum on the ballot that would limit or prohibit large‑scale data centers within the village limits.
Polling shows strong opposition
After the recent election, Hanneman’s group conducted an exit poll of registered voters. “Ninety‑two percent are against a data center coming into Genoa,” he reported, emphasizing the community’s clear preference to keep the project out.
While the effort faces challenges—such as gathering enough signatures and navigating the charter‑creation process—supporters remain confident that a grassroots, faith‑centered approach will protect Genoa’s environment and way of life.
Statewide context
The Genoa initiative mirrors similar campaigns in other Ohio municipalities, where voters have repeatedly rejected data‑center developments. Advocates argue that limiting these facilities preserves local resources and maintains the character of small towns, while opponents claim the projects bring jobs and tax revenue.
As the petition drive gets underway, Genoa residents hope their peaceful, community‑focused strategy will set a precedent for other villages seeking to safeguard their neighborhoods from large‑scale industrial projects.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
