HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — One Hubbard Township trustee admitted that while he was against data centers, the choice would be up to residents to allow one into the community, as they learned of an interested developer.

As part of his report Tuesday night, Trustee Jason Tedrow admitted that data centers weren’t really at the forefront for officials going into 2026.

Tedrow said a Massachusetts real estate developer approached trustees about a property originally intended to be a landfill and mentioned the word “data center.”

Tedrow said the township’s zoning commission was initially looking toward banning them altogether, which the township cannot do — leading him to contact Patrick Wilson, the township’s attorney, and enact a one-year moratorium on a vote that had a trustee abstaining.

“(It was) to kind of slow everything down, before we got into positions like Lordstown, Jerome Township and a few other areas; the problem was, they waited. They took no action,” Tedrow said. “Especially with that property down there – it’s zoned heavy industrial, and it creates concerns because pretty much anything’s a go down there.”

Tedrow recalled visiting New Albany with fellow Trustee Eric Lamb, noting that what they witnessed was “kind of scary” in the sense that the city was a “master plan” community with 40 data centers and another 28 being built.

Trustee Eric Lamb said officials received an email from FirstEnergy explaining that the company was redoing all the high-tension lines from Niles to Hubbard — 14.5 miles.

“And then you guys see 62 right, from Hubbard to the PA line; they’re investing all that money into digging out the medians, putting turning lanes in and repaving 62,” Lamb said. “And then they’re supposed to redo all the exit ramps off Interstate 80.”

Tedrow said such plans were brought up on the tour bus in New Albany, with some people sitting in front of them talking about infrastructure projects in the township — zooming in on their phones to Hubbard.

Tedrow said it was sad because no one has asked their community what it wants, which was kind of scary, adding that progression is nice, but it’s also nice to have a say in matters.

Regarding the township’s zoning, Tedrow said the zoning commission has tentative legislation that it would like to put forward, noting it was “very strict” and could potentially ban the facilities outright.

Tedrow said officials learned of a data center company interested in talking to officials while in New Albany, and he agreed to sit down with a man after he reached out, adding that he was against data centers personally — calling them a “net negative.”

He emphasized the importance of being transparent and honest with residents, with Lamb adding that they have legislation ready to tighten things up — it just needs to be reviewed by an attorney.

“We put in where they can’t dig down into the ground to make their building height higher, 25-foot building restrictions, dark sky compliant,” Lamb said. “Decibels at 42 at the property lines, which is less than us talking right here. Everything to restrict where they would just walk past.”

Tedrow said the developer, based on what they would be able to build on a site like that, would be willing to give the township between $10 million and $30 million.

“I don’t want to see people get taxed out of their properties, and nothing is free in this world, but I also want to make sure that somebody doesn’t come back later and say, ‘Well, if you wouldn’t have raised my property taxes if you’d have done this,’ and have buyer’s remorse,” Tedrow said. “I’d rather be open, honest, and transparent; there’s never going to be an NDA up here, at least for me.”

“I can’t speak for anybody else, but I know I can promise you I will never have an NDA. I grew up in this community. I don’t agree with everybody in it, but it’s still my community, and I still care about people. I think everybody should be treated equally and fairly.”

Tedrow said the developer offered to speak to the community, which was ultimately up to residents, he added, as it’s a major decision that affects both the city and township.

RESIDENT COMMENTS

Melissa Wade, a Franklin Avenue resident, said that with eyes on the closed Deer Creek Golf Course as a potential location for a data center, residents have done their due diligence.

“I will speak for myself and say that I would much rather pay higher taxes than open that door,” Wade said, also asking for the details on the potential township location.

Lamb and Tedrow said the data center would be between 100 and 300 megawatts and would be a $2 billion investment on 75 acres.

Belwood Road resident Melanie Bolovich echoed Wade’s desire to keep her property taxes instead of allowing a facility in, noting that they were high.

“You can’t get rid of property taxes and expect that everything’s free, so I’m good with property taxes and not abolishing them, getting rid of them,” Bolovich said. “But data centers, you let one in, and they all come.”

Katie Matola-Costello, an East Liberty Street resident, thanked officials for giving residents the option, adding that it was up to them to “rally the troops” in the township and to seek direction on what they needed to do to indicate they weren’t interested.

Tedrow suggested a town hall or petition signings, acknowledging that residents can’t get to every event.

Lamb said his biggest concern was finding the right attorney to approve their legislation.

“It’s really strict. I work in big commercial properties all over the country — been in multiple data centers and came to a couple of zoning meetings and worked with (Zoning Commission Chair) Meg (Evans) and sent her some guidelines on stuff that they will walk by,” Lamb said.