Key developments
Ohio pauses new data-center tax exemptions
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine paused new grants of the state's data-center sales-tax exemption while a bipartisan study commission reviews economic, environmental, and security impacts. The Altoona Mirror and ENR reported exemption costs surged to about $1.6 billion in 2025, far above earlier projections, and the Ohio Tax Credit Authority will stop considering new requests on June 1 with one application pending.
Why it matters
It could materially change the economics of new Ohio projects and may signal a broader pullback on incentives.
Sources & driving stories
ALTOONA MIRROR
Altoona Mirror coverageENR
ENR coverageQTS names Van Wert for $10 billion campus
City of Van Wert and QTS announced a planned data center campus in northwest Ohio with roughly $10 billion in capital investment and about 500 megawatts of capacity on 902 acres. The VW Independent reported groundbreaking is expected in Q4 2026, first building operations in Q1 2029, and full buildout around 2032, contingent on permitting and utility coordination. QTS said it will fund 100% of energy infrastructure upgrades and use a closed-loop cooling system designed to avoid water consumption for cooling after startup.
Why it matters
It is one of the largest new U.S. data center commitments announced today and adds major load to Ohio's development pipeline.
Sources & driving stories
THE VW INDEPENDENT
The VW Independent coverageRGP NORTHWEST OHIO · D L
RGP Northwest Ohio coverageStatesboro moves to ban hyperscale data centers
Statesboro City Council scheduled a June 2 public hearing on its Technological Facilities and Data Center Ordinance after first-reading changes banned hyperscale facilities larger than 50 acres. The Statesboro Herald reported the draft would allow only edge data centers by special use permit in limited zoning districts, require municipal water and sewer service, closed-loop cooling, water-use plans, noise studies, buffers, screening, a 65-foot height cap, and a decommissioning plan. Councilmembers moved the proposal forward after public concern about power, water, and land-use impacts.
Why it matters
It shows local governments tightening siting rules instead of simply accommodating large campuses.
Sources & driving stories
STATESBORO HERALD
Statesboro Herald coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Lakeland project surfaced with blank utility needs
City officials said they had only a vague application before resident opposition emerged, and a June 3 review may reveal water and power demands.
WORTH NOTING
Nebius lawsuit dismissed in Birmingham
The dismissal removes one legal challenge from the Oxmoor Valley dispute, though the underlying zoning and power questions remain unsettled.
WORTH NOTING
Valley View challenges Archbald campuses
A school district is now formally contesting two large Pennsylvania campuses, underscoring how school safety and infrastructure concerns are shaping approvals.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Ohio's tax pause become permanent?
The commission review and halted application processing could lead to a lasting change in how Ohio competes for data centers.
OPEN QUESTION
Can Van Wert's schedule survive permitting?
QTS's 2026 groundbreaking and 2032 buildout depend on utility coordination and local approvals for a 500 MW campus.