Ohio calls time on data-center tax break after cost balloons to $1.5 billion, 11x the initial estimate
Ohio is pausing its lucrative tax break for data centers, a move driven by the program's costs ballooning to nearly $1.6 billion, far exceeding initial projections. Governor Mike DeWine cited the escalating expenses and ongoing legislative study as reasons for the suspension, while acknowledging the significant investment data centers bring to the state. This decision comes amid growing criticism of such tax incentives nationwide and a citizen-led effort in Ohio to permanently ban new hyperscale data centers. AI
IMPACT Highlights the growing financial burden of AI infrastructure and prompts re-evaluation of state-level incentives for data centers.