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Richfield Today
By the People, for the People
Lordstown Approves Consultant for Data Center Discussion
Village council hires expert to provide information on data centers as it considers a moratorium on new facilities.
Mar. 2, 2026 at 11:31pm
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The village of Lordstown, Ohio has approved paying a $400 consulting fee to Brian Frantz, the director of planning, zoning and economic development for Richfield Village, to provide information and guidance on data centers. This comes as Lordstown has enacted a 180-day moratorium on new data centers while it gathers information and considers potential legislation or zoning laws to regulate the facilities.
Why it matters
Data centers have become an increasingly common but complex issue for many municipalities to navigate, with concerns around their impact on public health, safety, and the local economy. Lordstown's decision to bring in an expert consultant reflects the village's effort to make an informed decision about how to approach data centers going forward.
The details
Lordstown's village council approved the $400 consulting fee for Brian Frantz, who has 30 years of experience in city planning and zoning, to provide a presentation on data centers. This comes as the village has a 180-day moratorium in place on new data centers, with a committee formed to research the issue and make recommendations to the full council by the end of the moratorium period. The village is also seeking outside legal counsel to advise the committee as it prepares its findings.
- Lordstown enacted a 180-day moratorium on new data centers in January 2026.
- The moratorium committee must provide its recommendations to the full village council by the end of the 180-day period.
The players
Brian Frantz
The director of planning, zoning and economic development for Richfield Village in Summit County, Ohio, who has agreed to provide information and guidance to Lordstown officials on data centers.
Bristolville LLC
A company that is suing the village of Lordstown in court, claiming its application to locate a data center was filed before the moratorium was enacted.
What they’re saying
“The issue of data centers can be very complicated. We want to have someone who has information on data centers speak to us so we have the correct information. None of us have the experience to do this on our own.”
— Mark McGrail, Councilman and chairman of the moratorium committee
“We are finding with increased prices of things it is not hard to get to $1,000 or more. We are facing more situations where the cost for work is more than $1,000.”
— Brent Milhoan, Police Chief
What’s next
The judge in the Bristolville LLC lawsuit against Lordstown will rule on whether the village's moratorium is valid. Meanwhile, the moratorium committee will continue gathering information from the consultant and outside counsel to make a recommendation to the full village council by the end of the 180-day period.
The takeaway
Lordstown's approach to data centers reflects the growing complexity municipalities face in balancing economic development with concerns over public impact. By bringing in an expert consultant and seeking legal advice, the village aims to make an informed decision that addresses the community's needs.
