Genoa residents seek to restrict data centers as push to limit them grows across Ohio
Residents say a potential project could affect quality of life, but getting the issue on the ballot could be difficult
GENOA, Ohio (WTVG) - Some residents in the village of Genoa are joining a growing push across Ohio to restrict large-scale data centers. They face obstacles in their effort to stop a potential project.
According to Ohio State University, 18 Ohio communities have had ballot issues related to data center development. Voters sided against data centers in each case, often by a wide margin. Genoa residents who want similar restrictions could have difficulty getting the issue on the ballot.
Marc Hanneman of Residents Against Genoa Environmental Destruction said residents want to take action.
“If we sit back and let it roll over us, we’ll get it,” Hanneman said.
Residents are concerned about a potential data center on 430 acres south of State Route 163 along Reiman Road. Hanneman said residents worry about the effect on water resources and wildlife. They also worry about noise and light pollution a project near residential neighborhoods could bring.
“If we stand up and exercise our rights as citizens and residents of this community — that is [a] peaceful, loving community — we might just turn them away,” Hanneman said.
The village annexed the property three years ago, which led to studies of what could be built on the empty fields.
“I wish they’d slow down, moratorium, re-zone it. We could put it into apartments, we could put it into residential, we could do a lot of things… greenhouse, warehouse,” Hanneman said.
Residents looking to stop a possible data center face a key challenge. Some Ohio communities have added bans or restrictions to their charters. Genoa does not have a charter, so residents are looking into creating one.
“We’re looking into a charter, turning our village into a charter,” Hanneman said.
Hanneman said a charter could give the community a way to put guardrails in place.
Residents are also joining a statewide effort with Conserve Ohio to petition for a ban on large-scale data centers.
Hanneman’s group plans to collect signatures Friday at the Genoa Retirement Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the potential project site.
Hanneman said the group also conducted exit polling after the recent election.
“92% is against a data center coming into Genoa,” Hanneman said. “This is registered voters coming from the polls saying that they don’t want it.”
Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals
Copyright 2026 WTVG. All rights reserved.
