Canton Township Bans Data Centers for One Year

Trustees cite concerns over noise, water usage, and aesthetics as reasons for the moratorium.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:20pm

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A highly detailed, 3D macro illustration of a futuristic data server rack, with intricate cybernetic hardware illuminated by neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the complex digital infrastructure at the center of the data center debate.As communities grapple with the impacts of data centers, a glowing visualization of the complex digital infrastructure at the heart of the debate.Canton Today

The Canton Township trustees in Ohio have approved a 12-month moratorium on the construction of data centers in the township. Trustees say they need time to better understand the potential impacts of data centers on the community, including concerns over noise, electricity and water usage, wastewater, and aesthetics.

Why it matters

Canton Township is at least the third local jurisdiction in Stark County, Ohio to institute a freeze on data center development, following similar moves by Plain Township and the city of Massillon. This reflects growing concerns among some communities about the potential downsides of hosting large-scale data infrastructure.

The details

The trustees cited resident feedback at a recent meeting expressing worries about noise, electricity and water consumption, wastewater, and the visual impact of data centers. They said they want to take time to learn more about the issue and see if any new state or federal regulations emerge before allowing any new data centers to be built.

  • On April 9, 2026, the Canton Township trustees approved the 12-month moratorium.
  • In March 2026, residents addressed the trustees with concerns about data centers.
  • On March 24, 2026, the Plain Township trustees approved a 12-month data center moratorium.
  • On April 6, 2026, the Massillon City Council approved a 180-day data center moratorium.

The players

Canton Township Trustees

The elected governing body of Canton Township, Ohio that voted to institute the 12-month moratorium on data centers.

John Ring

A Canton Township trustee who said the moratorium will allow the township time to better understand the potential impacts of data centers.

Keith Hochadel

A Canton Township trustee who said residents had expressed concerns about data centers at a recent meeting.

Mark Shaffer

A Canton Township trustee who posted on Facebook that the moratorium will allow time for additional studies and to understand related projects in nearby communities.

Eric Williams

The law director for both Canton Township and Plain Township who drafted the resolution for Canton's data center moratorium.

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What they’re saying

“We just felt as though we would be better off to put up a moratorium up for a period of time until there was more information. We wanted to protect our township.”

— Keith Hochadel, Canton Township Trustee

“This will allow time for additional data center impact studies to occur, various possible State and Federal legislation to form, and allow us to better understand what is occurring with related projects in communities around us.”

— Mark Shaffer, Canton Township Trustee

What’s next

The Canton Township trustees said they expect the state legislature could pass new laws providing a framework for local regulation of data centers. They also noted that the moratorium does not impact properties recently annexed by Canton that are already slated for data center development.

The takeaway

Canton Township's data center moratorium reflects growing concerns in some Ohio communities about the potential downsides of hosting large-scale data infrastructure, including issues around noise, water/energy usage, and aesthetics. This pause will allow the township time to better understand the impacts and any new state or federal regulations before deciding whether to allow new data centers.