Wilmington Planning Commission Delays AWS Data Center Project Over Information Gaps
January 7, 2026
The Wilmington Planning Commission has unanimously voted to table the site plan for a major Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center campus in Wilmington, Ohio, marking the second delay for the high-profile project. The decision underscores the growing scrutiny hyperscale developments face from local authorities regarding their community and environmental impact, even as they promise significant economic investment. The commission's move, following a three-hour meeting on January 7, came after officials concluded they lacked sufficient information to approve the project. According to local reports, studies on critical issues such as traffic and lighting were deemed incomplete, and the water department lacked details about necessary pipelines. Commissioners expressed frustration that attempts to question Amazon representatives directly yielded what they described as "non-answers," including on concerns about whether PFAS 'forever chemicals' would be introduced into the local water supply. The vote aligned with a recommendation from city staff to postpone the decision. The proposed campus, planned for a 471-acre site at 1488 South US 68, represents a substantial investment. AWS has committed to investing approximately $4 billion in the development, which includes a pledge of $25 million for public infrastructure like sewers, water mains, and road improvements. The company projected the facility would create at least 100 permanent jobs with a total annual payroll of $8 million. This is the second setback for the project, following a postponed city council vote in November 2025. The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for January 15. The delay in Wilmington occurs amidst AWS's aggressive multi-billion dollar expansion across Ohio. The cloud giant has previously announced plans to invest $23 billion in the state by 2030. Its existing US East (Ohio) region operates three availability zones, and it has active developments or plans in New Albany, Sunbury, Pickaway County, Fayette County, Marysville, and Sidney. This pattern highlights the tension between rapid hyperscale growth and local regulatory processes, where communities are increasingly demanding detailed assurances on infrastructure strain and environmental stewardship before approving massive, resource-intensive projects. Source: datacenterdynamics
