Residents urge caution on proposed data centers, citing property devaluation and abatements

Several residents used the public‑comment portion of the Aug. 25 meeting to press the commission on whether the county would permit data centers in southwest Butler County and whether those projects would be given tax abatements. Carrie Sherburne said she examined city abatements and alleged BG Products had paid little property tax since 2006; she warned a data center ‘is not gonna pay anything’ if abatements are granted. Multiple speakers later said that if a data center is sited adjacent to rural residential properties it could reduce resale value and create safety concerns.