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Trenton residents press council for transparency on proposed data center; union highlights local jobs
Summary
At the Jan. 8 Trenton City Council meeting, residents pressed officials for clearer public information and independent studies about a proposed data center; a union representative urged support for local construction jobs. City staff said no independent feasibility studies have been commissioned and said traffic and site-plan issues will be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Residents and stakeholders pressed the Trenton City Council on Jan. 8 for clearer information and independent analysis of a proposed data center, saying grading permits and developer activity had left neighbors uncertain about environmental, traffic and noise impacts.
Barry Blankenship, a First Street resident, asked whether the city or developer had produced environmental or traffic studies and said “property ownership alone does not constitute project approval,” urging Council to delay action until more data are available and newly elected members can review findings.
Representing Electrical Workers Local 648, Bobby Angst said local tradespeople stand to gain from the project and urged the city to welcome development that would let members work locally. Angst estimated the project’s investment could exceed $1 billion and said 20–25% of that would represent wages and benefits for skilled trades.
Several residents, including Angie Markham, said they learned of grading activity after seeing work in the field or posts on social media and asked why Butler County issued grading permits without earlier public notice from the City. “Where could residents access data, studies, and information related to the project?” Markham asked, saying the lack of proactive communication has eroded trust.
City Manager Marcos Nichols told the Council the City had not contracted independent third parties to perform feasibility studies and that staff reviews developer-submitted plans and studies internally and through the City’s contracted engineering professionals. Nichols and Mayor Ryan Perry said no final site plans or legislation were before Council and that grading and soil-movement approvals were handled by Butler County until the project reaches Planning Commission review.
Danielle Huston urged Council to consider commissioning independent environmental and economic feasibility studies, saying reliance on developer-provided materials has contributed to community tension. She asked the Council to place an item on a future agenda to explore third-party analysis to rebuild trust.
Legal counsel clarified that matters discussed in executive session remain confidential even when similar topics have been discussed publicly; Council members said legal limits constrain what they can disclose. Mr. Blankenship said residents were seeking clarity about jurisdictional responsibilities and more proactive public notification from both county and city officials.
The Council did not vote on the proposed development at the Jan. 8 meeting. City staff said traffic, site plans and environmental questions will be addressed during Planning Commission review when specific applications and studies are submitted.
