Perry Protest Activated: Residents Plan to Gather for 'Emergency Protest' in Lake County
PERRY VILLAGE, Ohio — Residents of Perry Village and Lake County are escalating their opposition to a massive seven-building data center campus proposed for a 215-acre site off Route 20, citing concerns over economic strain, environmental degradation, and a lack of transparency.
The grassroots organization Conserve Ohio has organized a protest outside the municipal building tomorrow, April 23, at 5:30 p.m., just ahead of a 6 p.m. executive session closed to the public. Organizers argue the village is "locking residents out" of critical decision-making processes regarding the project.
Residents fear the industrial development will lead to significant utility cost increases. According to a report by Innovation Ohio, data center expansions could add $70 per month to the average Ohio family's electric bill by 2028 as residential ratepayers subsidize necessary grid upgrades.
The facility’s environmental footprint is another flashpoint. Large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily for cooling, though specific usage for this site remains undisclosed. Critics also point to risks from diesel backup generators emitting nitrogen dioxide—a concern heightened by the site's proximity to Perry schools just one mile away. Furthermore, light pollution from the 24/7 facility could disrupt wildlife in western Lake Erie, a major migratory bird flyway. All of these underscore the issue of PFAs exposure from wastewater disposal in the area.
The protest is fueled by frustration over a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed by Mayor James Gessic and the California-based developer, Province Group, two years ago. The document, which attempts to classify negotiations as "trade secrets" to bypass the Ohio Open Records Act, only became public after a formal records request by The Ohio Register.
Similar tactics were recently seen in Piqua, Ohio, where a developer utilized a shell company to secure 15-year and 30-year tax exemptions. Perry residents worry a reported dissolution clause in their village’s agreement could impose massive financial penalties if local leaders attempt to withdraw from the deal.
Tomorrow's demonstration aims to force public accountability for what residents describe as an attempt to host industrial infrastructure for an anonymous Fortune 500 company without adequate community consent.
