Data Centers transform Conesville Industrial Park into AI hub in Eastern Ohio

Aligned Data Centers announced a major new AI-focused data center campus located in Coshocton County’s Conesville Industrial Park in South Eastern Ohio. The project plans to make use of a sprawling 197-acre plot right next to the old American Electric Power (AEP) Conesville Power Plant, with the goal of turning this historic brownfield land into a hub for tech and commerce. This will be Aligned’s third data center campus in Ohio, following previous projects in Perkins Township and Pataskala.

The company says that this multi-billion-dollar, phased development aims to redevelop an industrial site and support economic growth in Southeast Ohio. According to Aligned’s CEO, Andrew Schaap, this project signals the company’s dedication to providing digital infrastructure in growth markets. In the company’s press release Schapp said that the expansion “directly catalyzes billions of dollars in investment for the state of Ohio and the Coshocton County community... It lays a powerful foundation, drawing new industries, creating high-quality jobs, and unlocking significant future opportunities for Southeast Ohio”

When it comes to job creation, Aligned states that construction of the campus is expected to generate thousands of jobs, with hundreds of permanent positions once the site is operational. That company notes that this boost in employment is likely to give the local economy a lift, with similar developments generating local and state tax revenues. 

Aligned also emphasizes its commitment to engaging with the community, collaborating with local educational programs, and supporting environmental stewardship initiatives as part of the project. This reflects a broader trend across the Midwest of redeveloping former industrial sites into centers of innovation and sustainable development.

The Coshocton campus is planned to include up to four buildings. The site has secured an anchor customer for the initial data center, which is targeted to be operational by mid-2026. The facilities will feature energy-efficient designs, including waterless heat rejection technology and hybrid cooling systems customized to customer needs.

This Ohio expansion is part of Aligned’s larger strategy to deliver scalable, energy-efficient digital infrastructure across North America.. The company has also acquired land in Perkins Township and Pataskala, confirming Ohio’s emerging position as a hub for digital infrastructure. 

Transforming the Conesville Industrial Park, a site historically tied to energy production in the region, signals a shift toward a tech-driven economic future. As Southeast Ohio navigates this transition, this project illustrates how old industrial zones can be revitalized with strategic infrastructure investments.