ANTHONY WAYNE – Looking around at the more than 150 people who came to a data center meeting at the Bunker Bar last week, Waterville resident Lisa Haberstock asked for a show of hands.
“Who is from Waterville? Waterville Township? Monclova?”
A large contingent from Waterside in Monclova Township cheered, while others called out the names of their communities: not just in the Anthony Wayne area, but also Maumee, Oregon, Richfield Township, Spencer Township and even Amboy Township in Fulton County.
“I think that this is a big, big issue; we can’t just work on our own. We have to work as a united front so everyone is safe from this,” Haberstock said, referring to work being done by the Lucas County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) and Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) to find suitable areas for potential data centers.
The Nov. 13 event was hosted by a group of Anthony Wayne-area residents but expanded quickly, said organizer Lyn Cox, who launched the Anthony Wayne Community Response Awareness Group (AW-CRAP) on Facebook since learning of the county’s plans in late September.
“There is interest in forming a larger Northwest Ohio coalition regarding data centers and we are strategizing now. Our issues are the same, and we are sharing resources,” Cox said.
The main goal for those gathered last week is to urge local leaders to put a moratorium on data centers, advanced manufacturing, solar fields, transfer stations and related projects to give time for those involved to provide adequate transparency, and public involvement in approving or rejecting such projects, said Paul Wise, who emceed the Nov. 13 event.
Guest speakers for the evening were sisters Karen Winn and Vicky Loeffler, along with Vicky’s children, Ashley Garlick and Travis Garlick. Loeffler recalls how she received a letter on Memorial Day weekend, announcing that Richfield Township was considering a change to its Central Avenue overlay district, with a Lucas County Commissioner’s meeting slated to weigh in on those changes the following Wednesday.
The letter didn’t mention data centers, but Loeffler soon learned the intent, and was able to get a 90-day pause on the commissioner’s decision while she and her family rallied to gather as much information about data centers as possible. last week, they shared with the crowd their research on data centers including sound and vibrations, health impacts, wildlife disruptions, electricity and water use and the loss of quality farmland.
“This is about connection, vigilance and empowerment. This is about knowledge, not negativity. Together, let’s stay curious, stay united and make sure our voices shape the future, not react to it,” Loeffler said.
Winn and Loeffler have both been active with Richfield Township and understand smaller communities’ needs to find funds for roads, bridges, cemeteries and fire departments. Ashley Garlick admits that, at age 26, she hadn’t kept up with local government until learning about the data center proposal.
“There’s a lot of anger and confusion and sadness about what’s going on,” Ashley said. “Our trustees were trying to find a way to help the fire department and the schools. They’re also human too – they only have so much knowledge. They need us to do research and give feedback.”
Waterville Township trustee Julie Theroux voiced her frustration at not being included in discussions with the county early on. While Theroux and the other two trustees approved, on Aug. 27, adding data centers to the township’s zoning resolution – allowing them in agriculturally-zoned areas with a conditional use permit – Theroux said she later learned that the county had been mapping out potential areas for over a year, including a 1,000- acres section in Waterville Township.
Theroux made a public records request in September for all of the marketing materials and planning done by the LCEDC and shared that with Cox – her sister – who then shared it on Facebook.
“I am not anti-progress. I’m not anti-data center,” Theroux said. “I am for collaboration – local governments working side-by-side, planning thoughtfully and teaching the community early. That’s the foundation of trust and how we ensure that any growth truly benefits our residents.”
When she learned that the county has been developing plans for a 1 million square foot data center with a power plant township land, Theroux said she felt blindsided, knowing that the county had been working on plans for over a year, but didn’t inform trustees until this summer.
“When decisions are made that impact our water, land and homes…that raises serious concerns. We deserve a seat at the table on day one. We deserve transparency – to know what benefits, if any, are coming to the township, not just the county,” she told the crowd. “I’m calling on the county officials to put a pause on marketing our land to data centers. Open the book and bring the township and all of you into discussion where we belong.”
In the audience that evening were several local officials, including Lucas County Commissioner Anita Lopez and LCEDC director Matt Heyrman. They listened as residents asked questions and spoke of their concerns.
Cheryl Nissen, a realtor, said she moved to the country with a plan to grow her own food and hunt on 20 acres.
“I came here to get away from technology. I sure as hell don’t want it sitting in my backyard,” Nissen said.
Others asked what could be done beyond attending meetings, asking questions and holding up “No Data Center” signs. Wise urged the audience to reach out to State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township). Paul Miller, a Waterville resident running to replace Williams – who is going to challenge U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) – said a referendum on local decisions is too late. Instead, Miller asked for volunteers to collect signatures on petitions to seek a change in ordinances and resolutions in area communities.
Maumee, Waterville, Monclova Township, Waterville Township and Spencer Township all have language in their zoning resolutions that would permit data centers. Harding Township voted against allowing data centers, and Richfield Township is moving away from permitting them, Wise said. Continue calling and emailing local officials, as well as the LCEDC, he and Cox recommended.
Waterside Monclova resident Suzanne Peats has done just that: emailing Heyrman with questions, attending area meetings, and asking specific questions of local officials.
“I’m a very tech savvy person. I think we have tremendous growth potential using AI, especially in the medical field. I support the evolution of technology to improve humanity,” Peats said. “What I object to is the mingling of such large, unknown industrial facilities in dense residential areas like we have in Monclova and Waterville, without knowing all of the impacts – which are significant. There is lots of remote land where these data centers, all funded by offshore money, can go to and set up.”
She and other Waterside residents are among those who plan to attend a town hall meeting on data centers hosted by the LCEDC, RGP and WGTE-TV on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Anthony Wayne High School, 5967 Finzel Rd. in Whitehouse.
“Under the Spotlight: Data Centers in Our Backyard,” will be moderated by Jerry Anderson and be livestreamed at wgte.org/livestream.
