Amazon Web Services Faces Local Bans in Ohio Data Center Bid

Amazon Web Services held a community open house on October 15, 2026, to present plans for a 600-acre, 18-building data center hub near Trenton, Ohio. During the event, AWS Director Brandon Oyer addressed concerns over noise and resource consumption, stating the facility would use no more than 21 million gallons of water annually and that the company would pay for necessary grid infrastructure upgrades.

The project faces significant local opposition. Residents will vote on November 3 on Issue 17, a charter amendment that would ban data centers with a peak load exceeding 25 megawatts. Adding to the uncertainty, the St. Clair Zoning Commission recently passed a resolution banning data centers within its township, where the proposed land is located.

Political instability has coincided with the project's development. The Trenton City Council withdrew several controversial resolutions that offered residents financial incentives, including property tax cuts, if voters rejected the ban. City Manager Marcos Nichols described the initial incentive proposal as a mistake, emphasizing the need for city neutrality. Simultaneously, Mayor Ryan Perry announced his resignation effective January 1, 2027, citing the increasing time demands of the office.