CHILLICOTHE, OH — [Sept. 28, 2026] — The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce today announced it has sent a letter to Jeff Carman, Chair of the Chillicothe Planning Commission, offering early, practical guidance on how the city's Unified Development Code (UDC) might address future data center development.

While the Planning Commission has not yet received a formal assignment to review UDC changes related to data centers, the Chamber said it wanted to get ahead of the conversation by sharing ideas drawn from the experiences of other communities that have faced similar proposals.

The letter, sent on behalf of the Chamber's nearly 800 investor businesses, outlines a dozen common-sense considerations for the Commission, including:

•    Requiring independent, applicant-funded expert review of water, noise, and power impacts

•    Setting real limits on water use — including peak-day and peak-hour caps, not just annual totals

•    Spelling out clear consequences if a facility exceeds its water, power, or noise limits

•    Establishing a plan to repair or address damage to roads, homes, or public resources caused by construction or operations

"This isn't about saying yes or no to any particular project — it's about making sure Chillicothe has strong, clear rules in place before we need them," said Mike Throne, President/CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce. "Our members want to see this community capture the economic opportunity that comes with responsible growth, and they also want assurance that our infrastructure, property values, and quality of life are protected. Getting ahead of this now, while there's no active proposal on the table, gives the Commission the most room to get it right."

The Chamber said it stands ready to support the Planning Commission's work going forward, including gathering additional input from local businesses or helping convene broader community conversations as the UDC review moves forward.

The full letter is available here.

About the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce connects investors and partners to resources that drive growth and change in Ross County. Representing nearly 800 businesses across every sector, the Chamber works to make Ross County the best place for business and people to grow and thrive.