Thank you so much to everyone who showed up to Tuesday's Trustee meeting – I could not be more proud of our community ♥️ Our local government has heard us, and many of our elected officials share our concerns.

This enormous decision rests largely with the prospective property's owners: Harold & Dewey Laughlin. Along with Laughlin Music & Vending Services, the family owns NML Gallia, LLC, which purchased the land between the Hocking River and Athens High School, clear-cut it, and now invites outside industrial developers such as Saadia Holding, LLC to do as they please. Research shows data centers often drain natural resources, raise our bills, and pose health risks to those who live (and go to school) nearby. 

The Laughlin family's willingness to allow a data center here would be at odds with our community's well-being and the natural resources that have sustained life here for millennia.

Unfortunately, the Laughlin family has shown no interest in making a comment, seeing our signatures, or hearing our concerns.  If you have a relationship with Laughlin Music & Vending Services, let them know how you would feel if they allowed a data center to be built across from Athens High School– will it affect your relationship moving forward? Businesses pay attention when their bottom line is involved.

This is a small town. Thousands of us have come together because we believe Athens County deserves development that protects our environment, honors our history, and provides a better future for our children. Every respectful phone call, conversation, and message matter. 

If you know Harold or Dewey Laughlin or have influence with them, now is the time to use it. Ask them to reconsider selling this land for a data center and to choose a path that reflects the interests of the community that has supported them since 1946.