The nondisclosure agreement including Washington County Commissioner President Charles Schilling with redacted signature of data center developer from January. (File Provided)

MARIETTA – Nearly four months have passed since the Washington County Commissioners agreed to enter into an NDA (nondisclosure agreement) with a developer looking to build a data center in Waterford.

A Waterford resident by the name “Shawna”, whose first and last name weren’t immediately available, appeared at the commissioner’s regular meeting Thursday to inquire about the facts of the matter.

“Did you allow this?” she asked. Shawna stated various statistics she gathered on her own time about the impacts a data center could have on the area as well as electricity and water bills.

She stated the commissioners “procured” the data center and Commissioner Greg Nohe said that was false information and the commissioners didn’t “procure” anything.

“We did not have a say,” said Nohe.

The nondisclosure agreement between the Washington County Commissioners and the data center developer signed in January. (File Provided)

Shawna asked if the commissioners had anything in place to either stop the data center from being built in Waterford or protect the residents from its potential effects.

“Did they sign an NDA and have they been for it? Yes, they have,” she said.

Commissioner Charlie Schilling said he signed the NDA because it allowed him the opportunity to bring the concerns of the community to the developer. In past meetings, Schilling stated the NDA was a gateway for the commissioners and the developers to have conversations and discuss potential agreements.

He said his role as commissioner in the process was to negotiate the best agreements for the county but there was no guarantee the developers would agree to anything and could move forward with the building process regardless of the commissioners approval or disapproval.

“We’re not any closer to an agreement than we were two to three months ago, but if I don’t sign an NDA then I don’t have an opportunity to address the concerns of the community,” he said.

Marietta resident Holly Kellums asked what the residents should do and where they should get their information if the commissioners did not have it available.

“There might not even be an agreement,” said Commissioner Eddie Place. “We can’t even be sure if they’re going to sit down with us anymore.”

Place said a lot of the information they’ve gathered about the data center has been from the community over the years.

“I’m hoping they come to us, but that’s not even a guarantee,” said Place. “We didn’t even know they were talking to people, you guys knew before we did because they were out there (Waterford) five years ago.”

Shawna said if the people of Waterford don’t want the data center in their lives, and if the commissioners don’t know anything and can’t help, the community will find sources and information in other ways.

“You find out the information, that’s why we elected you, to protect us,” she said.

Schilling said private land has been purchased in Waterford and there will be a development.

“If I were a constituent and not sitting up here, I would be happy that I’ve got someone that’s taking those concerns to the developer,” he said. “I’m all for economic development but sometimes you don’t get to choose what that development is … as long as they’re in compliance with state regulations … that’s not something a commissioner’s going to get in the way of.”

Schilling said the development will happen but for the commission it’s about negotiating the best agreement that would benefit the township and the surrounding school district.

“I feel that we’re just trying to do what we’re elected to do and building the best agreements we can when it comes to these types of developments,” he said.

Shawna said it was at the expense of the water and the farmland and the negative outweighs the positives. Schilling said the positives would improve the local economy and the industry was evolving.

Schilling confirmed he had recently communicated with the developers who were forming a public relations group. He said he stressed to the developers there needed to be a public meeting soon.

“I’ve stressed with them that we will not be signing any type of development agreement until that public meeting occurs,” said Schilling.

Marietta resident Dee Arnold said the results of the election indicate what the community wants.

“I’m wondering if the results of the primary on May 5 is any indication that the Washington County people are concerned about this issue with the fact that (Stephanie) Lang agrees there’s an issue and signed the resolution for a moratorium and Place did not,” said Arnold.

Arnold said the leaders representing the county need to be engaged and pay attention to the concerns of the community.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com