Pataskala committee presses Grow for power plan, requests quarterly reporting and short-term renewal review

Members of the Pataskala City development committee reviewed the city's contract with Grow, the regional economic-development partner, and pressed Grow to produce a clear plan to address electric capacity constraints that committee members said are blocking larger attraction projects.

A Grow representative said the current Grow contract "expires July 25" and described Grow's role in channeling leads from JobsOhio and One Columbus. The representative said the city received "about 25 leads" through Grow in the past year but that the city's ability to respond has been limited by electric and sewer capacity.

Committee members repeatedly pressed the organization on electric capacity and transmission challenges, asking whether Grow is pursuing grants, working with AEP or other partners, or developing a specific roadmap to get additional transmission and distribution capacity to the area. One member said, "If we're gonna sit back and wait 7 years... I'm not for that," and urged Grow to develop an actionable plan. Committee members noted Pataskala pays Grow $12,500 annually and asked for greater accountability: quarterly in-person updates, a library of available sites, and measurable deliverables.

At least one member proposed a six-month, partial renewal tied to performance: "If I'm gonna be persuaded to vote for it, I would say it's a 6 month renewal for half of it and show us what you can do in 6 months." Staff said they would ask Grow for a power-action plan and additional reporting before the next renewal decision.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the Grow contract during the meeting.