Worthington Council Reviews $274M Cologix Data Center Expansion

Worthington, Ohio – The Worthington City Council convened a public hearing on November 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall (6550 N. High Street) to consider a contract amendment for the Orange Township Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). The proposed modification would add a sixth business to the District: COLOGIX COL6, LLC (tax parcel 31823025001002).

The session provided a forum for public comment on the amendment. The inclusion of COLOGIX COL6 Additional Property is being coordinated by the City of Worthington and Orange Township. Following the hearing, the Council is expected to vote on a formal resolution at its December 1, 2025, meeting.

The Business Plan and Scope

COLOGIX COL6, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, plans to construct a new data center interconnection hub, sometimes referred to as COL5 or COL6. The development, branded the 6787 Green Meadows Drive Project, sits on 28 acres at the southeast corner of Green Meadows Drive and Home Road in Orange Township.

The project carries an estimated price tag exceeding $274 million, covering construction of at least one building, tenant-specific improvements, on-site and off-site infrastructure, and high-capacity data center machinery. Once complete, the complex is expected to provide 120 megawatts of operational capacity, designed to support artificial intelligence workloads. Groundbreaking for initial investments began approximately July 1, 2025, with full operational capability targeted by December 31, 2026.

Joint Economic Development Agreement Terms

Inclusion in the Orange Township JEDD is required under the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement. The JEDD, established in November 2023 by the City of Worthington and Orange Township, levies a 2.5% tax on employee income earned within the district and on net business profits generated on-site.

The development also benefits from Delaware County-backed incentives:

• CRA Real Property Tax Exemption: A 10-year exemption for new structures on the project site, covering 50% of assessed value annually.

• TIF Exemption: The site falls within the Slate Ridge II tax increment financing area, providing a 20-year, 75% concurrent exemption on incremental taxes.

Community and Economic Impact

COLOGIX COL6 is expected to generate 25 to 30 full-time jobs with an aggregate annual payroll between $2.5 million and $3 million. Additionally, the TIF structure ensures service payments in lieu of taxes are reinvested in infrastructure improvements benefiting the site. Planned upgrades include extending Home Road to Lewis Center Road, featuring a grade-separated crossing of the Norfolk Southern and CSX rail lines.

While the project promises employment and infrastructure enhancements, it highlights the region’s growing utilities challenge. Central Ohio’s data center boom is forecast to drive electricity demand comparable to Manhattan by 2030. Analysts estimate that $350 million to $455 million in water infrastructure investment over 15 years will be required statewide to sustain growth without supply constraints.

Documents for public inspection, including the proposed amendments, area descriptions, and boundary maps, are available at the Municipal Administration Building Clerk’s office.