Ohio Residents Oppose New Large-Scale Data Centers

A majority of polled adults support a constitutional ban on facilities with power demands exceeding 25 megawatts.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Data Centers

Ohio Residents Oppose New Large-Scale Data Centers

Live Poll

Should your state government enact stricter limits on the construction of new large-scale data centers?

A new poll from Ohio Northern University shows that 55% of Ohio adults oppose the construction of new data centers in the state. Respondents expressed widespread concern that these large-scale facilities will drive up local water and electricity costs.

Why it matters

The findings highlight a growing divide between the state's aggressive recruitment of AI-focused infrastructure and the concerns of local residents regarding utility affordability and resource allocation.

The study indicates that 57% of respondents support a constitutional amendment to ban data centers requiring more than 25 megawatts of power. Additionally, 65% of those polled oppose providing tax breaks to these developments.

The players

Ohio Northern University

An academic institution in Ada, Ohio, that manages the Institute for Civics and Public Policy to track state-level political and social trends.

SurveyUSA

A public opinion research firm that partners with academic and media outlets to conduct large-scale polling on policy issues.

The details

The survey, conducted by the ONU Institute for Civics and Public Policy and SurveyUSA, measures public sentiment toward infrastructure capable of supporting high-density computing loads. Participants identified economic, environmental, and quality-of-life impacts as primary reasons for their stance on the industry's rapid growth. Nearly 80% of those surveyed believe the presence of these facilities will directly lead to higher utility bills.

The survey was conducted between October 8 and October 14, 2026.
Poll results were released on October 22, 2026.

The Tech Race

This public pushback marks a departure from the state's recent efforts to incentivize data center expansion through economic development tax credits. It sets a new benchmark for public resistance against the power-intensive infrastructure required for large-scale AI training.

Residents should monitor potential state-level legislative debates, as the poll indicates strong support for restricting developments with power demands over 25 megawatts. These developments could eventually influence future utility rate structures and local zoning regulations across the state.

The takeaway

The poll signals that public sentiment may become a significant hurdle for developers seeking to build large-scale power-intensive facilities. Residents should watch for upcoming legislative sessions in Columbus where lawmakers may address these utility cost and zoning concerns.