Kathy Dunn leads her data center committee before the August 10th Chillicothe Council session.
Chillicothe Council heard more discussion in their third session after the July 2nd announcement of a presumed data center (and other developments) announced for the paper mill site. Kathy Dunn spoke with her committee, gave her report…as well as gave an interview on what she knows so far.
In the August 10th, 2026 Chillicothe Council session, council member Dunn again responded to her assignment to gather “information to formulate possible legislation regarding data centers” that she was given in July.
And, Dunn held a committee meeting just before the session, again with the entirety of council. Highlights of the about-10-minute meeting, viewable farther below:
- Jeff Creed: If the city allows a data center, it should be conditional use, only in industrial areas, provide own power, have own water, dispose of wastewater properly, noise levels respectful of residential areas.
- Kathy Dunn and Rich McQuirt: Called Align corporate office but could not get information.
- Kathy Dunn: Did a lot of research on website, unclear if Align does anything more than just build and staff data centers for someone else.
- …discussion of the splitting up of the Chilpaco property…
- Dunn: Just got a text from the mayor that she had been waiting for all day: the city is retaining the law firm of Bricker Graydon Wyatt regarding data centers – so the legal questions are out of council’s hands now, and we can’t make decisions yet.
- Dan DeMint: But I don’t want us to do nothing while things are developing.
During the main council session, Kathy Dunn read a prepared report. You can also watch the video of her reading farther down. The updated text that she provided:
Afterward, I asked Dunn to expand on her data center assignment. Hear her in her own words in the four short videos below.
Learn more in my following story on the public speakers in council’s August 10th session. And, learn more in my previous stories on the issue:
- Concerns and Info Gathering Continue on Announced Chillicothe “Data Center”(Kathy Dunn’s first report and an insider warning from the July 27th council session)
- City of Chillicothe Taking Action on Data Center Concerns (context for the issue and the July 13th council session)
- The Ross County Commissioners’ Perspective on Announced “Data Center” (as asked on August 6th)
See also news stories on data center issues in Pickaway County and elsewhere, on the Scioto Post.
Find the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
Dunn leads her committee meeting.
Dunn reads her report.