Rep. Kellie Deeter says Lorain County should reconsider $67 million grant tied to mega site

State Rep. Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk, has asked Lorain County commissioners to "pause and reconsider" accepting more than $67 million in state infrastructure funding tied to the proposed mega site development in New Russia Township. Deeter, whose 54th Ohio House district includes most of southern Lorain County, said in a news release that she was making the suggestion "following significant concerns raised by residents in the surrounding area." (Read her full statement here) Commissioners have said they plan to use the money to extend sewer lines for commercial development including near the Lorain County Regional Airport, on Russia Road in New Russia Township. They also plan to extend the runway there to accommodate more air freight. The county received the money in July 2025. At the time, Deeter said she was excited for what it meant to help build infrastructure and grow business in a rural area. The money came from the All-Ohio Future Fund, which Deeter noted was created before she took office. Her Feb. 3 statement said she respects private property rights, including voluntary sales, and economic development that benefits the region and that she "strongly" supports "responsible growth that strengthens our region, whether that is housing, infrastructure, or job creation." However, residents' concerns about the size, location and impact of the infrastructure improvements, where they are going and what they could lead to caused her to write and "encourage county leaders to take these community concerns seriously and engage in meaningful dialogue with residents before moving forward," Deeter said. "I encourage county leaders to explore whether adjustments can be made that still meet the program requirements while better reflecting community input," she wrote. If a way to have economic opportunity while considering how local residents feel can't be found, she said the county "should consider declining the grant as currently proposed." "We can support economic growth while also making sure development decisions are made thoughtfully and with community engagement," Deeter said in the news release. "My role is to represent my constituents, and right now many of them are asking for a closer look, more transparency, and a plan that reflects the character and wishes of their community." A message seeking further comment was left for Deeter, who is up for reelection this year. Democrat Brenda Buchanan of Columbia Township is her only opposition so far on the November ballot. In a text message, Commissioner David Moore, also a Republican, said the project has been in the works since 2021 and discussed publicly. "We plan on continuing the project now that we have a grant from the state of Ohio saving Lorain County taxpayers money," he wrote, "and as we have said for years it is important to have everyone's master land use plans updated so that that local government can control their own growth and not have developers control it. With the EPA tightening rules to protect Lake Erie it is our responsibility to ensure the infrastructure supports smart growth." Commissioner Jeff Riddell, also a Republican, said in an email that the sewer project "is part of a plan that has been kicked down the road for years." "It is critical to the future of every city, village and township on the west side of our county," he wrote. "As the EPA works on its H2OHIO goals the new sewage plant and the trunk sewer are necessary to that end and to protect our businesses and citizens from catastrophic penalties in the future. The grant is a vote of confidence from Columbus and the key to a future grant for the plant facility." The New Russia Township Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight (Feb. 10) to consider the application of four property owners to rezone nine parcels of land totaling 662 acres of the proposed mega site. The meeting is at 6 p.m. in The Lodge of New Russia Township, 46300 Butternut Ridge Road. The zoning commission can vote to approve the request, approve it with modifications, or deny it. The township board of trustees has the final say whether to rezone the parcels from residential and general business designations to the industrial park designation. The property owners are represented by Liberty Development of Westlake. Several hundred New Russia Township and other Lorain County residents showed up at a township zoning meeting Dec. 11 to overwhelmingly oppose rezoning. That petition was by Ceres Farms, Huron County Holdings and Richard Pleasnick, centered on eight parcels. A ninth, 40-acre parcel owned by the Simms family was later added in a revised petition. The Lorain County Planning Commission recommended Jan. 22 that the township zoning commission approve the proposed zoning changes to eight of the nine parcels. Residents say they are concerned about air and water pollution, noise, traffic, the loss of farmland and safety — especially if an artificial intelligence or AI data center is to be built at the mega site. More than 5,100 people had signed a Change.org petition titled "Stop the construction of a mega site in New Russia Township, OH" as of 4 p.m. Monday. Commissioners have said the township has the final say, and that they hope to attract multiple businesses, not just one large industrial project. Deeter has urged the creation of a state commission to study both the impact of data centers and how to plan for them in the future. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com