Stay up to date with our Politics newsletter, sent weekly.MT.ORAB, Ohio — The data center mystery in this rural exurb of Cincinnati has consumed Nick Owens.The lifelong Republican and self-described small-town attorney has spent countless hours trying to figure out what's going on with 1,000 acres of farmland and trees that property records show were sold to a data center developer in 2024 and 2025.In a few spots, the data center property runs right up against beautiful two-story homes."This is the Ohio that people brag about.
This is the Ohio people love.This is the small town charm," he says.
"Living in the rural area, but getting the benefits of a nice, lovely neighborhood."Some of the most coordinated opposition to data centers anywhere in the country grew out of what happened in secrecy in this village of 4,300 people, a short drive up a country road from Owens' home.Nondisclosure agreements have stymied Owens' efforts to learn more.But along his quest, he crossed paths with another local attorney and a real estate agent who were equally alarmed.
Together, they mobilized a network of volunteers in nearly all 88 counties in the state.They are Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
They called themselves Conserve Ohio."We all share the same ethos and the same passion for preserving our way of life, preserving the future of Ohio, frankly, from the hyperscale data center invasion," says Owens."It's really beautiful."This fall, the group is behind ballot initiatives in 10 communities that would amend local charters to prohibit the construction of large-scale data centers — the kind used to power artificial intelligence.
It's an effort that goes beyond the temporary pauses that hundreds of municipal and county governments have embraced."All too often you hear from the politicians, 'Well, the community should have a say,'" says Owens."We're going to find out in ten communities whether or not the communities want them."Meanwhile, the grassroots group is wor...