Most of us know to brace ourselves when we read an anticipated response that begins with “after careful consideration.” That was certainly necessary for Licking County residents after Microsoft followed those words with “we will not be moving forward at this time with our plans to build data centers at the Licking County sites.”

Microsoft confirmed earlier this week that it has decided against the development, proving Licking County Commission President Tim Bubb wise to have told WCMH-TV nearly two years ago, “We’ll believe it when we see it.”

To be fair, Microsoft said it will take “appropriate steps” to ensure the land it owns in the county is used for farming, according to a report by WCMH. But land purchased for a New Albany project is now one of two announced projects that have been halted.

“The City of New Albany has been informed by Microsoft that it is revising its build schedule for the planned data center development within the New Albany International Business Park,” Mayor Sloan Spalding said in a statement, according to WCMH. “We understand that large-scale projects like this require flexibility, and we appreciate Microsoft’s continued engagement with the City throughout this process.”

Add the Microsoft news to Intel walking back its promises for the region and a worrying picture comes in to focus. In fact, it is somewhat the opposite of the “clustering effect” Bubb described in 2023. At least in the case of the data centers, however, the area is not really losing any significant number of potential jobs.

In Microsoft’s case, there has not been a reason given for the cold feet. Other potential developments for the region are stalled due to various market concerns and changes in the industry landscape.

Meanwhile, JobsOhio is still urging potential employers to “Tell us a few details about your business goals,” and the next step is that “Our marketplace experts build you a no-cost incentive package.”

But most recent of the Ohio Success Stories listed on the quasi-governmental agency’s site are more than a year old, and are both PLANS for further development at industrial parks.

It’s time Ohio lawmakers and publicly funded economic development officials started delivering — and holding potential employers accountable. Buckeye State residents can’t be blamed, however, for sharing Bubb’s sentiment: We’ll believe it when we see it.