Ohio's Data Center Debate

Central Ohio has become a magnet for data center development, drawing global tech companies and fueling economic growth. But as these massive facilities expand, communities are grappling with big questions about energy demand, land use, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact. Leaders from industry, government, and academia explore the real trade-offs—and what it will take to balance growth with sustainability in one of the region's fastest-growing sectors. Featuring: Ryan Augsburger, President, The Ohio Manufacturers' Association Dr. Jeffrey Bielicki, Associate Faculty Director of Research, The Ohio State University Sustainability Institute Timothy Chadwick, Area Operations Manager for Ohio, Google Christopher Wyche, Columbus City Councilmember The host is Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, The Statehouse News Bureau. This forum was sponsored by The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and The Ohio Manufacturers' Association. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading The Dark Cloud: The Hidden Costs of the Digital World by Guillaume Pitron (2023). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on April 22, 2026.