Grove City voters face $1.5 million land question in data center fight

Grove City, Ohio, residents will vote on November 3, 2026, on a measure that could alter how the city approves large industrial developments. Issue 28 aims to require a citywide vote for projects that meet specific size and utility thresholds. The measure is one of 21 data center initiatives appearing on ballots across 18 Ohio municipalities this election.

The conflict centers on a 310-acre parcel southwest of the city. Headwaters, a data center development company, submitted a preliminary plan in May to annex the land. The plan includes at least six server warehouses. The property is directly across the street from the Spillman family farm, which Patricia Spillman says was founded in 1861. Headwaters approached the family to buy the 100-acre farm. Spillman declined but noted that a nearby 32-acre plot sold to developers for $1.5 million, or $46,875 per acre.

Realtor Ryan Deeter stated that land prices vary by parcel size. The median sale price for land in Grove City over the past three years is approximately $81,700 per acre. However, for nine parcels larger than 20 acres, the median price is closer to $20,000 per acre. The sale of the Spillman land is contingent on annexation and permit approval.

Spillman joined Jen Belt and Karen Church to form Protect Grove City. The group initially sought a temporary pause on construction. City Council passed a one-year moratorium in June 2026. Adjacent Jackson Township passed a similar one-year ban, while Pleasant Township adopted a permanent moratorium. The coalition realized that temporary delays would not prevent future projects. They worked with Cleveland attorney Robert Dintaman to draft the Community Consent Amendment.

The amendment defines "Heavy Industrial Development" as projects occupying 50 or more acres, drawing over 20 megawatts of peak power, or consuming more than 500,000 gallons of water daily. The definition intentionally avoids naming data centers specifically. Belt said this strategy aims to avoid lawsuits alleging industry discrimination. Urbana, Ohio, is currently facing a lawsuit from a developer over its specific ban on data centers.

Save Grove City opposes Issue 28. The group argues the amendment is too broad and could affect non-industrial projects like schools. Volunteer Cassie Ferguson stated that a new high school would require a separate city vote if the amendment passes. This process could delay construction and increase costs. Grove City Mayor Ike Stage supports Ferguson’s view. He said City Law Director Stephen J. Smith believes the amendment leaves no room for discretionary decisions.

Campaign finance filings show a disparity in funding. Protect Grove City raised just over $3,500 from 34 unique donors. Save Grove City raised $145,000 from eight donors. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce contributed $50,000 to the opposition group. Adam Rapien, senior vice president of political engagement at the Ohio Chamber, called the measure overly broad. Save Grove City also received nearly $100,000 from construction contractor political action committees.

The Ohio Chamber helped establish the "No on Issue 28" committee. Rapien said residents need transparency and strong protections for major developments. Officials with the chamber did not identify which local officials they coordinated with. The construction industry in Ohio has generally supported data center development, citing the benefits of construction activity even if they do not explicitly support the server warehouses themselves.