AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Costs: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a pause on new data center permits pending state audits of grid and water impacts, adding to a national backlash that’s already stalling projects and IPO plans. Ohio Policy & Courts: Ohio’s Supreme Court blocked a Wilmington data center ballot measure, while local ballot language and lawsuits keep the fight active across the state. Finance & Industry: SoftBank-backed SB Energy is reportedly delaying its planned IPO as investors question valuation, even as Nvidia and AEP remain tied to the AI buildout. Energy Prices: AAA and GasBuddy report record-high diesel costs in Ohio—about $6.81 a gallon Tuesday—pushing up delivery and everyday prices. Agriculture Costs: At Ohio’s Farm Science Review, farmers flagged diesel, fertilizer, and health care costs as election-top concerns. Food Safety: A Save A Lot potato chip recall includes Ohio—J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar may contain undeclared soy. Local Infrastructure: Shaker Heights is moving ahead with a roughly $31M Doan Brook dam removal and park restoration. Consumer/Workplace Legal: An Ohio federal judge asked Uber and Lyft to explain their role in an Ohio injury lawsuit.

Defense & Aerospace: Anduril is expanding Altius 600 attack drone production at its Arsenal-1 complex in Pickaway County, with hiring underway as demand grows. Space Policy: Ohio lawmakers are backing a push to bring a U.S. Space Force Academy to Wright-Patterson in Dayton, urging President Trump to consider the base. Energy & Agriculture: Diesel hit record levels above $6 a gallon, squeezing Ohio farmers as harvest season starts and diesel and fertilizer costs stay elevated. Rural Connectivity: Ohio State is testing rural wireless solutions for high-tech farms, partnering with Emergent Connext to deploy broadband sensors at its Molly Caren Agriculture Center. Water Infrastructure: Ohio County in West Virginia received a $2 million grant to modernize drinking-water systems, including tank upgrades and water main replacement. Local Industry & Construction: Dover approved an extra $160,000 for renovations at downtown fire facilities after bids came in higher than expected. Data Centers & Community: Residents in Conneaut are pushing back over potential data center plans, citing uncertainty over power needs and community impacts. AI & Environment: Commentary continues to focus on the broader environmental footprint of AI data centers beyond water use.

Energy & Utilities: National Fuel Gas declared a $0.555 quarterly dividend (annualized $2.22), touting 124 straight years of payouts and 56 years of increases, with operating cash flow of $1.035B and free cash flow of $280M through fiscal 2026’s first nine months. Fuel Prices (Ohio): GasBuddy reported the lowest diesel in Seneca County at $5.39 (week ending Sept. 12) and the lowest premium gas in Montgomery County at $4.20; other county lows included Gallia diesel at $5.89 and Greene premium at $4.59. Policy & Industry Pressure (Ohio): Ohio’s gubernatorial candidates are clashing over data centers and gas-tax relief, as lawmakers consider suspending the 38.5-cent gas tax and voters weigh “conditional moratorium” ideas tied to utility costs and labor rules. Local Infrastructure: Toledo is redoing a repaving job on Harrow Road after neighbors said the first overlay didn’t meet city standards. Aerospace Push: Ohio leaders announced a bid to bring the U.S. Space Force Academy to Dayton, pitching Wright-Patterson and NASA ties. Agriculture & Food Processing: Doudlah Farms Organics broke ground on a 24,000-square-foot processing and storage hub for organic grains, aiming to serve Midwest growers including Ohio. Community & Public Safety: Madison Township firefighters seek grant help to replace aging airpacks and air bottles; Antwerp Local Schools updated boards on a bus garage construction schedule and a state report card rating of 4 (“exceeds state standards”).

Ohio Infrastructure & Traffic: ODOT projects are expected to disrupt Jefferson County traffic this week, including SR 7 mine-subsidence repairs near Toronto and Steubenville, SR 7 resurfacing, and a closed SR 7 northbound on-ramp in Steubenville due to recurring slope failure. Flooding & Road Safety: Heavy rains are driving flooding and closures across the Miami Valley, with multiple roads shut in Moraine and Greene County and additional high-water issues in Xenia. Local Construction & Jobs: Wintersville Council hears union concerns over the Cadiz Road water line and resurfacing contractor, while residents also face delays in receiving water bills. Public Health & Maternal Care: Cleveland Clinic Children’s expands newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus across Ohio locations, boosting detection rates and scaling testing from about 150 babies per year to more than 2,000. Tech & Workforce Development: Indian Creek High School leads Ohio Tech Day with student-run mini-workshops on cybersecurity, AI, and data protection. Energy & Policy: A House-passed data center ratepayer bill is now a flashpoint, with critics pushing for clearer next steps on who should pay for electricity and grid upgrades. Consumer/Service Alerts: Premier Tree Specialists urges Ohio homeowners to plan pruning instead of cutting in fall, and a Cincinnati-area pest firm reports early mouse-removal demand ahead of typical infestation season.

Data Center Backlash in Ohio: Residents in Defiance, Ohio are pushing a ballot measure and a city moratorium after concerns about farmland impacts, electricity demand, and lost state tax revenue tied to data-center incentives. Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show diesel and E15 prices varying across Ohio counties in the week ending Sept. 12, with diesel hitting a low of $5.48 in Shelby County and E15 as low as $3.39 in Richland County. Workforce & Industry Pipeline: A new analysis warns the U.S. semiconductor industry could face a shortage of up to 157,000 workers by 2030 as AI and software firms pull talent away from chip manufacturing. Nuclear Supply Chain: Centrus Energy secured a multi-year HALEU deal with Antares, supporting expanded fuel production for compact microreactors. Local Business & Construction: ODOT will close the Oakley C. Collins Memorial Bridge Sept. 21-25 for inspections, with detours via Ashland bridges. Agriculture & Land Use: Ohio Ag Net highlights fall soil fertility planning for corn, soybeans, and wheat, while another piece argues cattle markets can boost net income per acre for some Ohio farmland.

Data Centers & Water Risk: A new Ceres report says Ohio and other major data-center states may face big hidden water pressure from power generation, not just cooling—raising sustainability questions as AI buildouts accelerate. Energy & Fuel Costs: GasBuddy pricing checks show some of the week’s sharp Ohio fuel spikes were tied to specific stations, including a Ross County midgrade low and a Scioto County premium low—while a viral “$9.99 gas” post was explained as a station running low. Local Infrastructure Funding: Avon Lake voters will decide in November on a 0.4% municipal income tax increase to fund roads and infrastructure, with most revenue earmarked for street repairs. Workforce & Construction Training: Meta’s Workforce Academy is expanding skilled-trades training, including fiber technician classes in Columbus and a general construction program in the region tied to data-center infrastructure. Thrift & Housing Supply Chain: Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Loveland closed as part of a consolidation plan, affecting local home-improvement resale options. Engineering Education: Choice One Engineering awarded a $5,000 scholarship to an Ohio Northern University civil engineering student pursuing land surveying.

Data Centers & Power Costs: The House advanced a bill pushing states to make data centers cover the extra electricity and grid upgrade costs they drive, but critics say the next steps are still messy and politically charged. AI Industry Politics: Trump announced an “AI Force” and floated renaming “artificial intelligence,” while opponents keep targeting data-center growth as a driver of affordability pain. Ohio Manufacturing/Tech: Vertiv reported a big jump in sales tied to expanding liquid-cooling for AI data centers, and Caterpillar is moving faster on generators and turbines for the same buildout. Ohio Infrastructure & Safety: A construction worker was killed after being hit by a vehicle on I-275 in Hamilton County; separately, Dixon Run Road in Jackson County is set to close for months to repair two long-running landslides. Local Environment: Bluffton University began invasive shrub removal at its nature preserve to restore native habitat. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported low E85 and regular gas prices in parts of Ohio, with statewide averages still volatile.

Data Centers & AI Backlash: Ohio’s data-center boom is colliding with public anxiety, with Defiance residents pushing a ballot measure and a six-month moratorium after concerns over farmland, power demand, and water use—plus revelations Ohio gave away more than $2B in sales-tax revenue via incentives. Defense & Aerospace Procurement: Cincinnati Electronics (L3Harris) won a up-to-$25.2M Defense Logistics Agency deal for infrared sensors for the Army’s Avenger system, while the Air Force awarded Leidos an $85M ceiling contract for aircraft design software work in Dayton. Manufacturing & Logistics Jobs: Nehemiah Manufacturing in Cincinnati, tied to Procter & Gamble brands, highlights “second-chance” hiring for workers with barriers to traditional employment. Energy Costs & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show scattered lowest prices across Ohio—like Hardin midgrade at $4.01 and Stark E85 at $3.22—while statewide averages for midgrade and E85 tick up. Regional Growth & Housing: OhioSE’s Fall Prosperity Forum spotlights investment momentum in southeast Ohio, and Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity plan a “Bobcat Build” to create a new home for a local family.

Aviation & Local Economy: Warren County Airport is hosting Airport Fest 2026 on Saturday, opening its runways to the public with aircraft displays, kids activities, and paid rides, highlighting the airport’s estimated $20M regional impact. Healthcare Research: Cleveland Clinic opened two new research buildings totaling 300,000 square feet, adding capacity for labs and computational work with support from the state and JobsOhio. Food Safety: Saratoga Potato Chips recalled J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar chips in Ohio and several states due to an undeclared soy allergen; no illnesses reported. Semiconductor Supply Chain: SK Hynix is exploring a U.S. memory-chip deal with Intel, with one idea involving leasing part of Intel’s Ohio facility. Pharma Security Push: Ohio AG Steve Marshall led a coalition warning Rubio about Chinese national-security risks tied to pharmaceutical supply chains. Data Center Politics: The Ohio Supreme Court rejected a Wilmington initiative that would have let residents sue data centers over zoning, while in Washington a Senate Democrat blocked a bill aimed at shifting data-center electricity costs away from ratepayers. Community & Education: Cleveland State reopened reimagined Fenn Tower as a residence hall after an $18M renovation, and Wayne Trace Local Schools updated board members on building automation and STEAM expansion progress. Workplace Safety: A construction worker died after a crash on I-275 in Springdale.

Fracking in Public Lands: Out-of-state drillers paid about $11M for nearly 2,800 acres in Ohio’s Wayne National Forest, reviving the long fight over wildlife, air, and water impacts. Energy & Transportation Costs: GasBuddy warns Great Lakes prices could jump again soon, with Ohio at “high” risk; diesel remains under pressure after refinery disruptions. Semiconductor Push: Reuters reports SK Hynix is exploring U.S. memory production options with Intel, including possible Ohio manufacturing space—another sign Ohio’s tech buildout is accelerating. Data Center Power Politics: The Ratepayer Protection Act stalled in the Senate after House passage, as lawmakers debate whether data centers should help pay for grid upgrades. Consumer & Utility Moves: Verizon seeks FCC permission to retire copper landlines in Ohio and other states, shifting legacy customers to fiber or wireless. Ohio Economy Watch: Ohio’s unemployment rate fell to 3.3% in August, with jobs gains in goods-producing industries. Local Housing: Richland County Land Bank plans six attainable single-family homes in Shelby using Welcome Home program funds. Transit Accessibility: GCRTA won a $20M federal grant to improve accessibility at seven Green Line stations.

Data Center Energy Costs Fight: A Senate Democrat blocked immediate passage of the House-passed Ratepayer Protection Act, which would push states to consider requiring data centers to fund their own energy costs—without forcing adoption. Ohio Higher Ed: Ohio State President Ravi Bellamkonda used his first State of the University address to stress “operational excellence” and big plans tied to the Education for Citizenship framework, including a potential decision on removing Les Wexner’s name by year-end. Consumer Finance: Ohio AG Griffin joined a $694M multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, bringing cash and debt relief and requiring stronger consumer protections. Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports show Ohio fuel prices still moving week to week, with Cuyahoga midgrade hitting a low of $4.09 and Hamilton regular as low as $3.46 in the week ending Sept. 12. Digital Equity: A new “token divide” discussion warns AI access may hinge on affordability of AI “tokens,” risking a new kind of broadband-era inequality. Local Business Impact: A Harrison restaurant says bridge work on Dry Fork Road has cut sales nearly 50% and forced staffing reductions.

Data Centers & Power Policy: Holtec Nuclear postponed its IPO, blaming uncertainty tied to U.S. data-center demand and local political backlash over energy use. Semiconductor Manufacturing: Intel and SK Hynix are in talks about U.S. memory-chip production, with Ohio’s fabs in the spotlight as chipmakers chase AI-driven demand. Ohio Energy & Land Use: Nearly 3,000 acres of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest were auctioned for oil and gas development, drawing criticism over habitat and pollution impacts. Local Utilities: Rossford council delayed a decision on creating a municipal electric utility, weighing faster power access for new projects against resident costs. Consumer & Retail: Donatos Pizza continues Texas expansion with new Dallas and Houston-area developments; International Dairy Queen named Columbus, Ohio-based N. Wasserstrom as equipment vendor of the year. Food Prices: A grocery-cost pressure story sparked practical money-saving tips, as shoppers look for lower-cost produce and smarter deal planning. Public Safety & Compliance: An Ohio auto dealer pleaded guilty to smuggling counterfeit airbags linked to deaths and serious injuries. Housing & Community Build: Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio plan a “Bobcat Build” home on campus that will move to Chillicothe for a local family.

Data Center Cost Fight (Ohio-relevant): The U.S. House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, pushing states to consider rules so data centers help cover grid upgrade costs instead of shifting bills to everyday customers—an issue tied to rising power prices in places including Ohio. Local Agriculture Enforcement: Ohio Department of Agriculture shut down a 1,000-head cattle operation in Williams County after officials found the facility built without required permits. PFAS Legal Pressure: Two Wood County residents sued Chemours in federal court over alleged PFAS contamination tied to a landfill near the company’s Washington Works plant. Semiconductor Supply Watch (Ohio): Reuters reports SK hynix is exploring options with Intel for U.S. memory chip production, including possible leasing of Intel’s Ohio plant under construction—though SK hynix says nothing is finalized. Power Outage Relief Proposal (Ohio): State Rep. Tristan Rader is backing a bipartisan bill that would require utilities to issue automatic bill credits and reimburse households for spoiled food and ruined medicine after qualifying outages. Healthcare Innovation (Cleveland): University Hospitals named Melissa Cohen, MBA, to lead UH Ventures’ investment and venture development efforts. Food & Safety Oversight: FDA inspection listings show Octapharma Plasma in Stark County and Cargill in Auglaize County received “No Action Indicated” results in August.

Semiconductors in Ohio: SK Hynix is reportedly in talks with Intel about making memory chips in the U.S. for the first time, with options including leasing space at Intel’s Ohio site or forming a joint venture with major cloud partners—Intel says it remains committed to its Ohio investment while SK Hynix says no plans are finalized. Broadcast tech: Sinclair and Nexstar launched a consumer education push for NextGen TV starting Sept. 17, including Cleveland and Columbus, aiming to boost awareness of ATSC 3.0 benefits. Housing & construction: NAHB/Wells Fargo homebuilder confidence fell to the lowest level since late 2022 as mortgage rates near 7%, costs rise, and labor shortages persist; locally, Defiance street work is wrapping up with more paving and bridge-deck repairs underway. Energy & retail: United Refining partnered with PAR Technology to build a new loyalty and customer engagement platform for Kwik Fill c-stores. Public health: New reporting highlights a growing medical focus on the hidradenitis suppurativa–lymphoma link, urging vigilance with lymph-node checks. Local community building: Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio plan a “Bobcat Build” home on campus that will be moved to Chillicothe for a local family.

AI Oversight Push: Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon teamed up for a “pro-human” AI event, calling for stronger guardrails as lawmakers worry about job loss, safety, and power concentration. Ohio Energy Costs: Ohio Rep. Tristan Rader introduced a bill requiring electric utilities to reimburse customers for spoiled food and medicine and to issue automatic credits after long outages. Manufacturing Expansion: Fives AddUp plans to build U.S. manufacturing capabilities for its FormUp 750 large-format metal additive system, starting in 2027 at its Hebron, Ohio facility. Ohio River Disruptions: A barge-mounted crane hit a power line near Cincinnati’s Brent Spence Bridge, triggering a river closure while crews secured and assessed the Duke Energy line. Agriculture & Competition: USDA is seeking information from farmers about fertilizer “cartel” practices as the FTC investigates potential unfair pricing. Local Housing Build: Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio launched the “Bobcat Build,” turning a campus drop-off area into a new Habitat home for a Chillicothe family.

AI & Tech Policy: Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy is pushing a bill to require a “kill switch” on AI models, while lawmakers react to Trump’s opposition to AI guardrails amid fears about China and frontier-model risk. Data Centers & Ohio Local Control: A Wells Fargo tracker says local data-center moratoriums have surged nationwide to 374, with Ohio among the states seeing the most local limits; meanwhile, Wilmington residents are seeking referenda to block emergency ordinances tied to an Amazon Web Services data center. Energy Demand: New reporting highlights how AI-driven data centers are reshaping the U.S. power grid, with utilities and investors scrambling for capacity. Manufacturing & Materials: Americhem launched PFAS-free additive platforms for odor control and moisture management in fibers and nonwovens, and Malco Marine rebranded its Presta line under the Malco name. Defense Supply Chain: The U.S. Department of War is committing $450M to Elmet to expand domestic tungsten mining, processing, and manufacturing, including Ohio. Ohio Transportation: ODOT announced an interchange opening on U.S. 24/County Road 17D in Henry County. Education & Workforce: Trine University student interns at Spangler Candy, and Ohio’s manufacturing partnership is targeting kids early to build future talent.