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HUBBARD -- Data centers have been a hot topic in communities across the county, and one community made its stance known Tuesday night in an overwhelming fashion.
Unofficial and incomplete results from the Trumbull County Board of Elections show the data center ban passing by a margin of 76% to 24%.
Hubbard residents collected more than 750 signatures – nearly twice the minimum 370 required – in July for an initiative allowing Hubbard residents to decide whether they want to keep or outright ban data centers in the city.
The option came after residents expressed concerns about a data center development around Deer Creek Golf Course as part of Project Milo, which Mayor Ben Kyle first spoke about in February 2025. In November 2024, he said the project was still in the site selection and utility research phases, which the unidentified company was doing in five other communities across Ohio.
In May, Kyle confirmed signing a nondisclosure agreement in December 2024, intending to allow the city to gather the “technical and utility” information needed to see whether the city could accommodate something of that scale.
Kyle said Tuesday night that the city's voters have made their decision clear through the vote.
"City council and the administration will respect the will of the voters," Kyle said. "Moving forward, we'll continue to look at regulations that protect our community and our residents."
Sarah Lee, a Hubbard resident who helped collect signatures to get the ban on the ballot, said voters recognize a need for strong economic development, but data centers aren't the way to do it.
"I think that voters care about what happens to the future of Hubbard, and with that, it’s now time for residents to get more involved to shape the future of the community," Lee said. "We need to hold our leaders accountable for shaping us into a place that’s known for strong economic development, and right now, that’s not Hubbard."
"I think this means that people understood the detriment that data centers can have on small communities that aren’t really shaped and equipped to handle them. But I also think it means that we’re ready for leadership that actually can strategically invoke some true economic development, so that we can continue to have this great little community that gives back and takes care of one another."
HUBBARD PARK LEVY
A park shared between the township and city soon will get the love it needs.
Unofficial and incomplete results from the Trumbull County Board of Elections show Harding Park's 1.07-mill continuous levy passing by a margin of 53% to 47%.
The levy will generate approximately $315,000 annually. The park's last levy, a 0.5-mill one, was in 1997, and it was when the park was separated from the library.
Park Commissioner Mike Stiver said in August that levy funds will go toward staffing and the park’s aging playground equipment, which he says will need updates and repairs that they couldn’t afford without the levy.
Stiver said park officials also would like to start looking into community events and grants, but some grants require matching funds that the board didn’t have.
Park Commissioner Bill Colletta thanked city and township voters for their support, acknowledging how tight the vote was and how residents can be tentative about voting for an additional tax.
"We’re going to establish a budget that is going to be in the black for the entire year. That’s one of the first things we’re going to do," Colletta said. "Then we’re going to work on maintenance on a lot of the things at the park. The pavilions need upgraded, and some of the playground equipment also needs upgraded.”
"The big thing is, we’re not going to just spend money to spend money to use it up. We’re going to be good stewards of our money so we have enough to continue on," he added.