We are following the leadership of Portage Residents for Responsible Development
Data Centers are swallowing up farmland across the Midwest, not only ruining the rural aesthetic but causing tremendous strain on local energy and water resources. While they promise economic opportunities, they are poor sources of new jobs and often increase local energy costs, as well as create as-yet poorly understood health risks. This group will serve as the Portage County chapter of Ohio Residents for Responsible Development, and together we hope to get an amendment on the Ohio ballot to ban new data center builds.
This group is reaching across party lines for a common goal, and has a tight timetable to do it. Most likely your preferred political party or values are not shared by half the people of this group, BUT nonetheless here we all are working together on something we DO all agree on. Let's keep on-topic and be good neighbors. :)
What we know
Shalersville residents received an invitation to an opaque "Open House Event & Community Q & A" for Friday, May 29 from 12:00 - 3:00p, hosted by a "local industrial landowner, local community leaders & elected officials" including the Portage County Commissioners, Ohio State Representative Heidi Workman, and Team NEO for a "neighborly conversation about 'the project'" and to "provide local residents the opportunity to have any questions or concerns answered in open forum." It states that all local residents are welcome.
The invitation provides a link to a website www.neohioprojectinfo.com, which describes plans for a data center for over 14 acres of "technology information center" buildings under roof.
Assets (i.e. images) on their website contain the name of the cryptocurrency "bitcoin" miner Bitdeer. Bitdeer is facing opposition in trying to build a facility in Niles, OH, and in Massillon, OH, and a lawsuit over a plan to build a facility in Clarington, OH.
There will be a Zoom Planning meeting before the Open House
Thursday, May 28 at 6:30pm