Marysville Reviews 600‑Acre Data Center Plan, Offers 15‑Year Tax Abatement

Updated 2026-02-04 23:29:23+00:00 (2 articles)

City Evaluates Economic Benefits and Environmental Risks Marysville is reviewing a proposal to build a 600‑acre data center south of town on Weaver Road, weighing potential community benefits against drawbacks [1]. The developer has agreed to fund a bridge over the railroad tracks to bypass Weaver Road and improve site access, addressing a major logistical hurdle [1]. Officials project that property taxes on the parcel could generate about $18 million for the city and schools, far exceeding the $300,000 the land would produce if left undeveloped [1].

Water Usage Uncertain, Officials Demand Safeguards Marysville’s public safety director notes that the developer has not provided firm water‑use figures, though a medium‑size data center can consume millions of gallons annually [1]. The city maintains that most data centers do not draw from well water, but officials are pushing for water‑recycling measures given the potential demand [1]. Union County farmer Amber Darst, whose property lies downstream, is collaborating with Ohio State University to secure a grant for baseline well‑water testing to monitor possible contamination [1].

Tax Incentive Structure Targets School Funding The municipality will waive all building taxes for 15 years, offering a 100 % tax abatement to the project [1]. Despite the abatement, projected property‑tax revenue of $18 million would flow to schools and the city, providing a substantial funding source for operating or capital needs [1]. Economic development director Eric Phillips highlighted that the deal creates a significant revenue boost for local schools compared with the minimal tax base of an undeveloped site [1].

Infrastructure Commitment Includes Railroad Bridge To overcome the site’s near‑inaccessibility, the developer will construct a bridge over the railroad tracks, allowing traffic to bypass the congested Weaver Road corridor [1]. This infrastructure improvement is intended to facilitate construction and future operations of the data center while mitigating traffic impacts on existing roadways [1].

Sources

1.
WBNS: Marysville weighs data center impact on water, offers 15‑year tax break: Reports city’s review of a 600‑acre data center proposal, developer‑funded railroad bridge, farmer’s water‑monitoring grant effort, 15‑year tax abatement projected to yield $18 million for schools, and emphasis on water‑use uncertainty .
2026-02-04 23:29:23+00:00

Timeline

Jan 6, 2026 – Ohio EPA proposes a five‑year general permit that would allow eligible data centers to discharge cooling‑water, potentially up to 500 million gallons daily, into state waters under strict limits and monitoring requirements; the agency notes “data centers aren’t expected PFAS sources”[2].

Jan 2026 – Environmental groups warn the draft permit could lower rural water quality, citing small sewage plants’ inability to remove PFAS and a permit clause that “some lowering of water quality may be necessary to accommodate economic development”[2].

Jan 2026 – The public comment portal opens for stakeholders to submit feedback on the Ohio EPA draft permit, inviting input on water‑quality protections and PFAS concerns[2].

Feb 4, 2026 – Marysville reviews a 600‑acre data‑center proposal, offering a 15‑year, 100 % tax abatement while projecting $18 million in property‑tax revenue for schools, and notes “no firm water‑use figures have been provided” by the developer[1].

Feb 2026 – The developer commits to fund a bridge over railroad tracks to improve site access, addressing a major logistical hurdle for the proposed data‑center site[1].

Feb 2026 – Union County farmer Amber Darst pursues an Ohio State University grant for baseline well‑water testing to monitor downstream contamination risks from the data‑center project[1].

2026 onward – Marysville’s economic development director projects that the tax‑abatement deal will create a substantial new funding source for schools, enabling allocations to operating or capital needs as they see fit[1].