Ohio Data Centers Get $2.5B in Tax Breaks, Husted Promotes Role
Ohio data centers received $2.5 billion in tax incentives. Senator Jon Husted promoted these projects while serving as lieutenant governor.
Key points
- Ohio data centers received $2.5 billion in tax incentives from 2017 to 2024.
- Husted defended a $43.5 million tax exemption for Google in 2019.
- Amazon Web Services invested $7.8 billion in a central Ohio data center.
Senator Jon Husted promoted data center investments in Ohio. He held state office from 2001 to early 2025. Democrat Sherrod Brown claims Husted gave billions in tax dollars to the industry.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce reports a $2.5 billion total in incentives. This covered state and local tax breaks from 2017 to 2024. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority formally approved these exemptions.
Husted advocated for tech industry growth
Husted served as lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025. He actively supported data center expansion during this time. Professor David Niven notes it is common for leaders to claim credit for such incentives.
In 2019, Husted defended Google’s New Albany project. The company received a 15-year state sales-tax exemption. This exemption was estimated at $43.5 million. Husted argued the economic benefits outweighed the cost.
Major projects attracted significant state funding
In June 2023, Husted announced an Amazon Web Services investment. The project cost $7.8 billion. It was located in central Ohio. Husted called it a step toward making Ohio a tech hub.
Later in 2023, the Aligned Data Centers project was announced. It is in Erie County. The company received a 75% tax exemption for 15 years. Officials said it would create 18 full-time jobs.
Political debate centers on local costs
Brown’s campaign ad features a resident criticizing a Google data center. The resident mentions higher electric bills. They state that no one asked for the facility to be built there.
PolitiFact reviewed Husted’s public statements and state records. The verification confirms his active role in promoting these incentives. The state approved the exemptions under existing laws.
