ELLIOTT ROAD PROJECT CAMPUS

Defiance, Ohio

Kelter Holdings LP continues to evaluate development opportunities for its 340-acre industrial site in the city of Defiance. The assembly of this property presents significant opportunities for the city, including the potential for traditional industrial development or a state-of-the-art technology campus.

Traditional industrial uses could generate new employment opportunities and expand the city’s tax base over time. However, the greatest opportunity for Defiance will come from continued advancement of clean-technology data centers.

A modern technology campus would support significant job growth and generate substantially greater tax revenues than traditional industrial development, while also creating opportunities for community benefit initiatives and infrastructure improvements. This investment could provide benefits otherwise unavailable to the city.

This website provides an overview of the key characteristics, engineering advancements, and performance standards associated with today’s state-of-the-art technology data centers, including the latest developments in efficiency, sustainability, and clean technology.

Growing Opportunities in Defiance

  • According to the Ohio Chamber Foundation's Economic Impact Study of Data Centers in Ohio, a typical 100 MW data center can generate approximately $750 million in economic activity through construction, operations, and supply-chain spending during the life of the project. 

  • Local employment increases 4-6% following construction, and each data center job creates an additional 2.5 jobs.

  • Additional community benefits are developed through partnerships between project developers and local leaders.

WHY DEFIANCE?

Defiance’s historically collaborative approach to business positions the city to negotiate a fair and appropriate community benefits agreement that will enrich the community and welcome a new employee base.

Defiance is already well-positioned for a data center with:

  • M1 and M3 industrial zoning in place

  • Defiance already has the power infrastructure in close proximity to support an industrial project

  • The developer has established a plan with the power agencies where the developer will fund 100% of new infrastructure required for the project.

  • Third-party utility infrastructure available

  • Strong fiber backbone

  • Proximity to major data storage markets

The land is ready for development. The site is approximately 340 acres and is located in an established industrial area of Defiance.

LAND

There is available energy to power the site. The project has secured approximately 400MW of power allocation with redundancy through third party providers.

ENERGY

Data centers bring real, measurable benefits to communities. From good-paying jobs and local economic growth to infrastructure improvements and increased tax revenue, the positive impact is long lasting.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

The site is already zoned for this use. The property is zoned M-3 and M-1(industrial), which allows data center development.

The city has sufficient water resources to supply the site. A wastewater sufficiency study has been completed by the developer, and the project will utilize a mix of water sources, including reclaimed water.

ZONING

WATER

We believe in being open and honest. We will listen to your voice and share updates on our progress and work together to make decisions that matter. As plans move forward, we will share updates through this page and other community channels so residents know what to expect.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

What are the next steps?

Every major development follows a review process designed to protect the community. Planning officials, utility providers, city leaders, and the eventual end user all play a role before construction can begin.

With the existing city process, Defiance can ensure this project is well-sited. By keeping conversations going, the Defiance City Council can collaborate with the end-user and craft a community benefits package that will help Defiance. A blanket ban doesn’t distinguish between a poorly sited project and one built on enforceable community commitments; they simply block both, and with it, the tax relief, school funding, and infrastructure investment as well.