County plans public information open house on potential data‑center development with AWS participation

County staff presented a draft plan for an informational open house to explain potential data‑center and industrial development in Morrow County. Staff said the format will use multiple stations where the public can talk one‑on‑one with technical experts on zoning, rezoning process, tax incentive programs, and AWS‑provided expertise on water, power, workforce and community engagement.

Staff said AWS has expressed interest in participating and that the county has modeled the session on a prior AWS open house in Walla Walla. Commissioners discussed logistics including venue (the Sage Center was suggested), timing (evening events preferred for public participation), designation of protest areas or “protest zones” for free‑speech activities while preserving safe access to the meeting, and inviting other stakeholders such as DLCD, the county assessor and local law enforcement. The board asked staff to return at the next meeting with dates and a final plan; staff proposed mid‑to‑late October as a target window.

Staff emphasized the event would be informational, with technical stations rather than a formal plenary Q&A, to ensure members of the public have direct access to experts and clear written materials. The board asked staff to coordinate publicity, sheriff’s office presence for safety and traffic control, and to avoid scheduling the open house on a commissioner meeting night.