LORDSTOWN, Ohio - The Lordstown Village Council will vote on new legislation, which will be read for the first time at tonight's meeting, that aims to prohibit the establishment and operation of data centers within the corporate limits of the village. 

On the Lordstown agenda for tonight's 6 p.m. council meeting is an ordinance for emergency passage to ban data centers within Lordstown's boundaries.

This comes as plans to manufacture AI data center equipment along with a small-scale data center are already underway. 

21 News has reported that SoftBank and Foxconn are converting the former General Motors Assembly Plant into an AI server manufacturing facility, which will occupy approximately half of the six million-square-foot facility. The former office area of the plant will house the AI data center server showroom, showcasing the technology SoftBank is developing for the Stargate projects around the U.S. The primary function of Lordstown's facility will be the manufacturing of AI servers, building the servers required as part of the Stargate projects.

However, tonight's planned vote following the first reading of the proposed ordinance will not prevent anything Softbank, OpenAI and other partners within the facility have announced so far. 

"What Foxconn and SoftBank are going to do is manufacture hardware for data centers, primarily at that location. And so everybody embraces manufacturing. Everybody embraces the job multiplier that manufacturing brings. And so we're on safe ground in terms of the vast majority of the plans for that place," said Guy Coviello, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber president and CEO. "So it looks like the the ordinance proposes to ban actual data centers, not the manufacturing of hardware for data centers, was what, which is what Foxconn is going to do with that location."

The proposed data center ban legislation allows for some exemptions, including those for SoftBank, as well as for municipal or emergency service data infrastructure operated by the village or authorized agents, and small-scale server rooms that are smaller than 500 square feet and are not the primary use of the property.  

Another exemption included in the proposed ordinance is for businesses that operate and manufacture components and/or hardware for data centers, including data center showrooms, incidental to such companies.  

Coviello said he does not blame the village for looking into the potential impacts of data centers, but feels a decision on banning the facilities should not be rushed.

“It's wise of Lordstown officials to take time to proactively examine the matter of data centers. Rather than rush into an emergency vote, taking a deliberate approach ensures decisions are made thoughtfully and avoid unintended consequences for the very people they are working to protect — their residents. We encourage them to continue gathering information from resources such as the Lake to River Economic Development Foundation. We would be happy to assist in convening the experts and facilitating discussions," said Coviello. 

Lordstown Mayor Jackie Woodward tells 21 News that while this is being introduced as an emergency measure, meaning the vote could bypass the Ohio Revised Code requirement that all ordinances must be passed only after being read on three separate days at three separate meetings, unless declared an emergency. However, the mayor said she anticipates three readings for the legislation to receive appropriate consideration.

The offices of Planning & Zoning, along with the Recreation Department Committee for the village, are unanimously recommending the prohibition of new permits for data centers.

Woodward told 21 News that SoftBank has requested a delay in the vote scheduled for Monday's council meeting.

Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez spoke to Softbank this afternoon. He said they still maintain they have no plans for a larger data center in Lordstown, and only want tonight's vote delayed to be sure there are no unintended impacts on their current project.