The village of Ashville, Ohio, population around 4,500, is set to vote on a multi-million-dollar data center and natural gas power plant project. In April, the village signed a contract with EdgeConnex for the 195-acre project, but the Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled that the village must first submit a referendum petition to the board of elections seeking a public vote on the contract.

Background

The village initially approved the projects as an emergency, citing the need for the preservation of public peace, health, and safety. However, a citizens group called Pickaway Informed Citizens opposed the project, arguing that it would have significant environmental effects and that the village should have sought a referendum instead of declaring an emergency.

The Ohio Supreme Court agreed, stating that the village must submit a referendum petition to the board of elections. The court’s ruling gives the villagers a say in the project, which has sparked debate over the impact of data centers on local communities.

Implications

The referendum will allow Ashville residents to decide whether to approve the data center and power plant project. The project has been controversial, with some residents expressing concerns about the environmental impact and the potential effects on the local community.

The outcome of the referendum will have significant implications for the village and the state of Ohio, which has seen a surge in data center development in recent years. The project’s fate will depend on the voters’ decision, which will be made after considering the potential benefits and drawbacks of the project.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.