Piqua Voters Ban Data Center Construction and Recall Three City Commissioners

Voters in Piqua, Ohio delivered a decisive rebuke to local officials over data center development, approving a charter amendment that prohibits data center construction in the city and recalling three city commissioners who had backed a controversial project. The twin results underscore growing grassroots resistance to data center expansion in communities across the United States, where residents increasingly question the transparency of siting processes and the local impact of large-scale digital infrastructure.

The charter amendment, which appeared on General Election ballots, passed with 67% of the vote, barring any future data center construction within Piqua city limits. In a separate special election held the same day, more than 70% of voters chose to recall Mayor James Vetter, who represented Ward 1; William Fredrick Walker Jr., who represented Ward 3; and Vice Mayor Frank DeBrosse, who represented Ward 5, according to unofficial results from the Miami County Board of Elections. The three commissioners had drawn criticism for supporting the data center project and were accused by residents of ignoring constituents' objections.

"I think there's a lot of displeasure from the city residents, in general, about how the data center was implemented," said Piqua voter Marty Pollock. "It kind of felt like it was done sneakily, got under the radar." The recall results reflected that discontent, with Walker and DeBrosse set to be replaced by Damon Wilson and Kim Heisler, who ran unopposed, while Jim Sheats narrowly defeated Alexander Hessler to succeed Vetter, according to the unofficial tallies.

While data centers dominated the local political conversation, voters also weighed in on other ballot measures. The Tri-County Board of Mental Health Tax Levy, a renewal, passed with 69% of the vote, and the Miami County Park District Levy, an additional measure, passed with 59%. Voter Cara Fry said the two levies were her top priorities, adding that she wanted elected officials to address affordability by lowering grocery and gas prices. Gary Wagner, another voter, similarly emphasized border security and tax relief, while Pollock said he hoped officials would treat the outcome as feedback from constituents. "Actually listen to what I think the voters are wanting to say," he said.

The Piqua vote adds to a growing pattern of local pushback against data center projects nationwide, as communities scrutinize the land use, energy demands and approval processes associated with such facilities. For developers, the result signals that community engagement and transparent siting procedures are becoming critical to project viability, while for local governments it highlights the political risks of advancing infrastructure projects without broad public support.