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As plans for data centers have expanded at a rapid pace in Ohio, thousands of Ohio Farm Bureau members have raised their voices calling for transparency, asking for answers around their economic implications and for the removal of any exclusive tax exemptions. 

“As a grassroots organization, the voices of our members are the strongest tool we have in our advocacy efforts, and data centers are another prime example of our farm families making their concerns heard loud and clear,” said Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson. “Our members understand the need for data centers to help power our agricultural technology and the potential economic growth around them, but we want to make sure that our communities are appropriately compensated and don’t bear the burden of cost and loss of resources.” 

Efforts by Ohio Farm Bureau members and staff have included testimony in favor of data center studies, multiple calls for transparency and the overwhelming success of an action alert where thousands of farmers and rural community members asked for the removal of the data center sales tax exemption. 

Ohio Farm Bureau appreciates Gov. Mike DeWine’s recent decision to pause consideration of any new data center tax exemption requests, through the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, as the Ohio General Assembly’s Joint Data Center Committee looks at the growth of data centers in Ohio. 

“By allowing the joint legislative data center study committee to examine the rapid growth of data centers and identify potential legislative solutions, the state will have a better understanding of what these facilities will mean both economically and environmentally for our communities,” Patterson said. “We look forward to keeping up the drumbeat by engaging with the joint committee as they study data centers and ensuring our farmers and rural communities do not bear the brunt of these new developments.”

This is a statement for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ryan Matthews, 614-246-8210 or [email protected].