AWS Project Galaxy, Sidney, OH

Timeline from the record

Newest first. Record entries come from the filings and reports the registry cites. Coverage entries are headlines from publisher feeds we monitor daily, linked to the outlet; last checked September 14, 2026.

1. 2026

   Under construction
   Construction began January 2026; site clearing and earthworks underway by March 2026; initial operations targeted Sept 15, 2026 Source: Stop Ohio Data Centers
2. 2025

   Permitted
   Sidney City Council approved 30-year 100% property tax abatement and development agreement; NDA executed mid-2025 Source: Data Center Dynamics

Opposition and litigation at this site

Yes. AWS Project Galaxy, Sidney, OH in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio is contested. Hearings, public comment, petitions, or organized opposition are on record, and no lawsuit has been filed so far. Active opposition from 'Sidney Citizens for Responsible Development' (founded by Kristin Allen, 4th-generation farm family) and 'Sidney Citizens Data Center Watch' (150+ Facebook members).

How the community has taken it

Reception is a sourced signal, not an editorial judgment: contested means active public debate is on record, with hearings, petitions, or organized opposition, without litigation.

Active opposition from 'Sidney Citizens for Responsible Development' (founded by Kristin Allen, 4th-generation farm family) and 'Sidney Citizens Data Center Watch' (150+ Facebook members). Core concerns: per-job tax abatement economics ($2.4M-$4.6M in foregone tax revenue per permanent job), water capacity strain, and NDA limiting public transparency during approval process. Community town hall held March 6, 2026 with Shelby County Commissioners attending; no Sidney City Council members attended. City published FAQ in response to community pressure.

Source: Stop Ohio Data Centers

Power and water

AES Ohio confirmed as primary grid supplier per FERC filing; Phase 1 network upgrade costs $22.8M recovered via Transmission Cost Recovery Rider (TCRR). AEP Ohio's 85% data-center tariff (eff. July 23, 2025) may apply given service-territory overlap corridor. AEP Ohio onsite Bloom Energy fuel cells approved for some AWS Ohio locations (PUCO order), but not confirmed specifically for this Sidney site.

City of Sidney public water system (groundwater wells, Great Miami River, Tawawa Creek). Development agreement caps withdrawal at 1.0 million gallons per day (694 gpm maximum); projected average annual usage is 4.6 million gallons per year (~12,600 gpd average). All wastewater including cooling discharge routed to city sanitary sewer. Miami Valley Conservancy District raised concerns citing peak draw up to 300 gpm. Cooling type inferred from industrial-scale water-in / wastewater-out pattern; not explicitly stated in sources.

Public money on the record

Notes on the record

Codename 'Project Galaxy.' Coordinates approximate (parcel: north of Millcreek Road, west of Vandemark Road, Sidney OH). AES Ohio FERC filing shows phased power ramp: 65 MW at initial operations (Sept 15, 2026 target), 480 MW within one year, 1,500 MW by January 2031 to 1,500 MW taken as planned total capacity. $3B investment described as a firm commitment in the approved development agreement (not 'up to'). AWS has committed an estimated $23B in Ohio data centers through 2029 to 2030. Baxtel lists a 'West Hub' expansion site associated with this campus. FERC filing lists location as 'Jefferson Township, Ohio'; confirmed as Sidney/Shelby County campus from all other sources.

Other sites within 30 miles

Distances are between recorded coordinates, many of which are a city or county centroid, so treat them as approximate. Cumulative load on one utility and one aquifer is the question a planning commission rarely asks.

• Project Klondike · Piqua · Meta14 mi · Permitted · Contested

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