Trenton, OH's Data Center Proposal Sparks Economic Hope and Community Debate

The City of Trenton, Ohio, is advancing plans for a 1 million-square-foot data center on 141 acres within the Trenton Industrial Park, near Kennel and Woodsdale Roads, just east of Molson Coors Beverage Company and south of downtown. The project, one of the largest infrastructure developments in the region in recent years, has ignited a debate over economic opportunity, local control, and quality of life.

Business Plan and Transaction Details

California-based Prologis, one of the world’s largest industrial real estate firms, is spearheading the project. The company and the City of Trenton finalized the land sale during the week of October 13, 2025. While Prologis declined to disclose the final price, a purchase agreement from April 2024 listed the land at $55,000 per acre, totaling roughly $7.7 million for the 141-acre site.

Prologis plans to develop, construct, and operate the data center, although the tenant remains undisclosed. Preparatory steps have included legislative changes: in March 2025, the city updated three zoning ordinances to permit “Data Centers” in the I-G General Industrial District and allow multiple principal structures on a single lot. No site plans have been submitted, and no groundbreaking date has been announced.

City Manager Marcos Nichols highlighted the project’s economic upside. The center is expected to generate roughly 100–150 full-time jobs upon completion, alongside temporary construction employment. Officials said the project could bolster Trenton’s technology profile and attract additional industry investment.

Financial Implications

City leaders are betting on significant revenue streams. Mayor Ryan Perry said the facility will contribute substantial taxes to both the city and local school district, as well as tap-in fees and income tax revenue. Water sales figure prominently: the data center will purchase municipal water at a business rate, above residential rates, a potential boon for municipal coffers. Perry suggested the revenue could help “freeze or decrease our dependency on citizens’ water bills.”

Trenton’s water treatment plant, with a capacity of 5 million gallons per day (expandable to 6 million), currently serves about 1.5 million gallons per day. A typical 100-megawatt data center consumes roughly 1.1 million gallons daily. To prepare for future demand, the city applied in April 2025 for a state loan exceeding $7.6 million to finance a new 1.5 million-gallon water storage tank. Officials emphasized that city oversight ensures regulatory control over water use—unlike neighboring townships, where developers could drill wells without limit.

However, some residents remain skeptical. Carl Hahn questioned whether projected revenue will offset citizen costs, while others raised concerns about the strain on Duke Energy’s power grid. The facility’s size—more than three times that of a proposed data center in nearby Hamilton—has fueled worries that regional electricity rates could spike.

Real Estate and Local Impact

The project will convert 141 acres of farmland and open space along Woodsdale Road. Local homeowners, including residents on Marcia Drive, have expressed concerns that proximity to the facility could depress property values. Social media chatter echoed these fears, framing the development as a threat to the town’s character.

Public Sentiment and Community Response

The sale announcement triggered a surge of public opposition. Residents filled the Trenton City Council chambers on November 6, 2025, voicing complaints ranging from rising utility costs to environmental and quality-of-life concerns. Specific worries included:

• Utility Costs: Potential increases in electricity and water rates.

• Environmental Impact: Noise, light pollution, threats to local ecosystems, and water contamination.

• Strain on Services: Fire, rescue, and police infrastructure may be inadequate.

• Loss of Small-Town Character: Residents fear the development undermines Trenton’s “Mayberry-esque” charm.

Carl and Tonya Hahn described feeling “left in the dark,” criticizing the approval process as opaque. Mayor Perry acknowledged the city’s standard communication channels were insufficient, noting that past hearings often had minimal attendance. In response, he pledged to host live Q&As, monthly citizen roundtables, and post council meetings on YouTube.

Despite initial opposition, sentiment appears to be shifting in some quarters. Mayor Perry and Councilwoman Sharon Montgomery emphasized that the project is vital for local growth and that industry contributions fund high-quality city services. One resident said her concerns eased after learning that city jurisdiction over water prevents the developer from extracting unlimited supply through private wells—a regulatory safeguard the township could not enforce.