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Washington County Commissioners meeting leads to discussion with Roush

By Sophie Wheeler 3 min read

MARIETTA - Southeastern Ohio Port authority President Jesse Roush addressed Washington County Commissioners Thursday about what he described as "fabricated falsehoods that have been shared on social media" about him and his work with the economic development agency.

Commissioner Greg Nohe also discussed a meeting he had with state officials about local injection well concerns.

While speaking with commissioners, Roush said he had tendered his resignation from the agency he has headed since 2020. He did not specify who had made the posts or where, but indicated they falsely suggested or claimed he had engaged in unethical business activities in the community, particularly in regard to the controversial proposed data center in Waterford.

Roush stated the claims that he is "an unchecked rouge operator" are untrue and he reports to a board of directors composed of professionals from the community. He also said he is audited every year by the Ohio Auditor of State and files financial disclosures through the state Ethics Commission.

Roush said the Port Authority employs "one of the top law firms in the state of Ohio," Taft Law, and has a professional firm handle its books.

"At the end of the day, my board approves all the actions that the Port Authority takes, in an open public meeting," he said.

Roush said there's been a false claim online about a fake $1.5 million lease with a company called Bit 56. He said a contract with that company "was negotiated by two top law firms, approved by my board in an open public meeting, recorded on record in Washington County." The company then made a business decision to terminate that lease.

Roush stated the Bit 56 project and the HashWorks, which is how he described the Waterford data center project, are two separate ventures.

Roush said the Port Authority was aware of the data center project in March 2025. He asked if he was trying to hide the project, as he indicated some online comments suggested, "Why would I have met with multiple members of the community in June of 2025, before any power was secured, before any land was bought, to have conversations with those landowners?"

Roush stated his resignation stems from a new job that is "a better opportunity for myself and my family."

George Banziger, a member of Washington County for Safe Drinking Water, questioned commissioners about a meeting Aug. 21 between Ohio Department of Natural Resources Oil and Gas Resource Management Chief Eric Vendel and Commissioner Greg Nohe.

Nohe said he met with Vendel and ODNR Administrator Andrew Adgate, then shared the information he received with Commissioners Charlie Shilling and Eddie Place. All three said the information shared did not change their individual positions on injection wells at this time.

Earlier this month, Nohe suggested commissioners support a moratorium on new injection wells in the county, but the motion did not receive a second.

In other business, commissioners approved a new lease agreement for the Washinton County Historical Society to move from the second floor to the first floor of the building they occupy on 342 Muskingum Drive, which will provide additional space and accessibility. Commissioners approved the Washington County Public Library appointment request of Jim Lawson to the board of trustees. He will fill the remainder of Karen Caltrider's term, ending on Dec 31, 2030.

Nohe reminded the public that the last day to notify the county of any yard issues caused by the Devola Sewer Project is Aug 31.

Sophie Wheeler can be reached at swheeler@newsandsentinel.com.

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