From left, Washington County Clerk Ben Cowdery, Commissioners Charlie Schilling, Eddie Place, and Greg Nohe during regular meeting on Thursday. The commissioners respond during public comment. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA – Waterford resident Amber Peck asked the Washington County Commissioners for help regarding the data center project that is planned around her home near Sparling Road.

During the regular commission meeting on Thursday, Peck spoke to commissioners during the public comment portion of the meeting and said she’s concerned because properties around her are being sold but she has not received a “practical” offer for her home.

“From day one, they (developers) approached us in May 2025,” she said. “We received two different offers from two different companies.

“We have a turn-of-the-century farmhouse that we love very dearly, and we have 20 acres, and we feel a little trapped,” said Peck. “So I would like to invite (Commisioner) Eddie (Place) out to the house.”

Peck said she wanted the commissioners to see her situation and fully understand why she felt trapped.

“I know we’re not the only ones … and I’m not against development, but we need some help and we’re not able to do it ourselves at this point,” she said.

Commissioner Charlie Schilling said the commissioners want to see development.

“I don’t know if there would be a choice of getting the data center in the sense of what they’ve already procured,” he said. “Whether we agree to (a tax) abatement or not, I don’t see there’s any way we can stand in the way of that type of development.”

In other business, the commissioners approved the tax renewal levy for the Washington County Behavioral Health Board to appear on the general election ballot in November. The renewal levy does not seek any new money and would maintain the rate of a half-mill for a period of five years with collection beginning in 2027.

Behavioral Health Board Executive Director George Goddard said the money goes 100% back to the community.

“Because we do have this levy, there are a lot of people who are able to receive treatment that otherwise would not,” he said.

Goddard shared a few statistics on how suicide rates and overdose mortality rates in the area increased by 30% in the recent year.

“It’s not something that’s talked about a whole lot, but it definitely is impacting families,” he said. “The money that we’re able to get from the community is Washington County citizens helping Washington County citizens; it’s bringing families back together … it’s changing lives.”

Washington County Recorder and event organizer for America 250 Teresa Judson said the Fourth of July activities over the weekend went very well.

“It was a great day, and we have more events planned,” she said. “It was all well-attended despite the heat and a lot of people helped out.”

Upcoming events which can be found on the website at mariettaohio.org/america-250/

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com