Oxford Twp. trustees oppose data center

OXFORD TWP. — All three Oxford Township trustees made their stance on a proposed data center in their political subdivision abundantly clear. Absolutely not. The three — Scott Leber, Brian Miller and Mike Parker — publicized their collective feelings after a meeting Wednesday when residents pressed them for an update. They based their decision on overwhelmingly negative feedback on what's known as Project Andromeda, a proposed 146-acre data center campus by Avaio Digital, off West Mason Road near EHOVE Career Center. At $5.5 billion, this would mark the largest financial investment in Erie County's history. During the past month — before, amid and after its first formal introduction in mid-July at Rockin' Ranch Saloon on Milan Road (U.S. 250) — hundreds of residents, in one way or another, have expressed their disdain with a data center being built locally, namely through: • Meetings, including the one at Rockin' Ranch Saloon, a heated gathering in which emotions ran high and, at times, tempers ran even higher; Many residents in attendance shouted objections, heckled Avaio presenters and interrupted the discussion. • Facebook, mainly a group created in direct opposition to this project, titled Oxford Twp. Ohio Data Center • A petition, outlining both local and nationwide concerns with data centers, focusing on quality-of-life issues along with noise, water and electricity usage along with overall intrusiveness • Road signs, reading, "Protect our community: No data center" Public statements from public officials Here's the statement from Oxford Township trustees in full: After careful thought and consideration, the Oxford Township trustees have determined that, at this time, the proposed data center is not in the best interest of Oxford Township. While we recognize the potential opportunities such a project may present, there remain too many unanswered questions and unknown variables for the township to make an informed and responsible decision. In reaching this conclusion, we have carefully considered the concerns expressed by the residents of Oxford Township as well as those from the surrounding communities. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to act in the best interest of our community, and we believe that additional information and greater certainty are necessary before moving forward with a proposal of this magnitude. Additionally, township fiscal officer Melissa Pelletier also commented on this situation: "Data centers are simply not the right fit for Oxford Township, just like those windmills are not," said Pelletier, noting she tries "to remain neutral because, as fiscal officer, I represent everyone in Oxford Township." She continued: "It's been encouraging to see neighbors come together, set politics aside and stand united to protect the place we all come home." Erie County commissioner Matt Old also made a statement on his Facebook page. "I am a 'no' on the data center," Old said. Old made his feelings known independent of the two other commissioners, Pat Shenigo and Steve Shoffner. However, all three submitted letters to the editor in the Register in July stating that they opposed the proposed Oxford Township data center. "After carefully reviewing this proposal and listening to residents, I cannot support the proposed data center project in Oxford Township," Old said. "Too many important questions remain about its potential impact on our electrical infrastructure, water resources, noise, quality of life and the long-term character of the community." As of today, no public official has stated, on the record, positive sentiment for this data center. What's next? At this time, because of their collective stance, trustees don't expect to vote on the matter. For the project to proceed, it does need majority approval from trustees with at least two of the three elected officials supporting this measure. But is this truly a dead issue? Actually, it's not, according to one person deeply involved with this project. "We will revisit this," said Kevin Murphy, Avaio's company partner and main project spokesman. Murphy spoke with the Register on Thursday, one day after township trustees made their joint statement. The project remains in a "holding pattern" for now, Murphy said. "I agree with their sentiment that now is just not the right time for this project, just given the questions people have, which we are ready and willing to answer," Murphy said. Murphy cited the "politically charged climate" as a motivating factor why locals seem hesitant to pursue this project. He wants to re-examine Avaio's proposal in Oxford Township with community members sometime in early 2027, following the midterm elections. "We want to be here," Murphy said. "There are a lot of economic benefits and what it can bring to a community. We will inform the public and outline those benefits because we didn't have a chance to do that fully and engage the community, which we are more than willing to do." Among some benefits Murphy mentioned in a previous Register article summarizing Project Andromeda: • Jobs: The data center would create upward of 3,000 construction jobs and then 120 in-house positions paying at least $150,000 a year. • Taxes: Murphy believes the data center should generate about $28 million a year in new tax money over a 15-year period. The 15 years represent how long a contract with Avaio would likely sign with a prospective customer, like Amazon or Microsoft, to operate within the data center. This money could build new schools — including for Edison as this project falls within that school district's territory — improve infrastructure, upgrade parks and fund numerous other government services, he said. • Education: There would be opportunities created from local schools, including EHOVE, to create scholarships, offer internships and provide training programs. It could serve as a pipeline where students can receive on-the-job training and learn valuable skills. "Ultimately, this is a site that makes sense for some type of industrial development," Murphy said. "If we're not there, eventually, something will happen there. It's only a matter of time." Murphy looks forward to hosting more meetings and talking with locals, explaining how Project Andromeda won't be noisy, won't increase utility bills and won't be a bad neighbor. Though, even with his optimism, Murphy realizes he faces a steep uphill battle and one that might be impossible to overcome. "I wouldn't spend my time on this if I didn't think it would work here," Murphy said. "I think cooling off for a bit and just assessing where everyone's at is a good idea and come back early next year." He continued: "If everyone's head is in the same spot as where it is now — 'We just don't want you here' — then we'll just move on. We don't stay in places where we are not wanted. Just know we are not in the business of disrupting people's lives and don't want to do that." Petitioning for the cause Some community members have taken leading roles to oppose the data center. This would include spouses Jon and Tricia Stephanchick, Oxford Township residents living on Thomas Road. They started a petition to oppose the data center. As of today, about 250 Erie County residents, including about 150 from Oxford Township, have signed the document. "We wanted to show the (Erie County) commissioners and the trustees of Oxford as well as surrounding townships that we are not for a data center," Tricia said. The petition brings attention to common data center concerns, which include: • Health complications • Property devaluations • Avaio's inexperience; It doesn't actually operate a working data center. It is overseeing construction on four others across the country. • Quality-of-life issues, such as those involving noise and traffic Even with the trustees publicly coming out against data centers, Tricia believes the community's fight must continue. "This is definitely not over," Tricia said. "Even with the trustees saying what they did, it's hard for me to believe that this is over." Tricia invites people to come sign the petition. Anyone can email her at tflanagan03@gmail.com on how to do that. 'It would ruin our lives' Four years ago, spouses Skylar and Tanner Thompson found their forever home: on West Mason Road in Oxford Township. It's the ideal place for them to raise their two children, Eli and Ella, where they can freely roam among their many chickens in the country. "My dream as a young kid has always been to live in a place where you can have animals along with peace and quiet," Tanner said. "But, with this possible data center, that's at risk." Tanner noted the Project Andromeda data center — which includes four separate buildings — would get built directly behind his house, turning his private homestead into more of a public and crowded city environment. "It would literally be right in my backyard," Tanner said. And crews would need to establish access roads for construction purposes. An artist rendering presented at a past meeting shows gravel paths spanning either side of the Thompsons' abode. "We will be living on an island," Tanner said. "If this did get built, it would ruin our lives." In a prior Register article, Murphy said no other homes exist near the proposed data center. When asked in a follow-up interview specifically about the Thompsons' home, Murphy admitted his mistake and explained how company representatives would work with them to create buffers and limit other inconveniences. But that's not good enough for Tanner and his family. "Does he not understand this will be 200 yards off my property line?" Tanner said. "And selling it at fair-market value is also not an option." Skylar stressed her fears about safety. "Now we can play outside and don't have to worry about strangers coming up to our kids," she said. "But with a data center, we will have to worry about that. We don't want strangers coming through our property or near our property." Tanner, who underscored similar ramifications about data centers outlined in the petition, did extend his appreciation to township trustees for taking a stance aligning with his beliefs. But, like Tricia, he must stay on guard and not let up his defense. "Everyone that I've talked to in the township, nobody wants it," Tanner said. "The whole community has come together against this. Just go away. We don't want a data center here, and my family will do whatever we can to stop it."