👋 Happy Tuesday, NoC!

📅 On this day in 1796, George Harlan got married in Kentucky before moving north to settle in what's now Warren County. Harlan became the county's first sheriff.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, high of 67 and a low of 42.

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🇺🇸 Programming note: We're off tomorrow in observance of Veterans Day. We'll see you Thursday.

• To all veterans, thank you for your service.

Today’s newsletter is 994 words — a 4-minute read.

Data centers were a controversial subject during election season, but some communities still want them despite concerns about their energy needs and job creation figures.

Why it matters: There's more to the economic equation than jobs, as communities weigh added tax revenue against the costs of hosting the facilities.

Driving the news: A study led by Miami University finance professor Simon Buechler suggests data centers create few direct jobs but can affect other industries.

• Counties with new data centers gained 1,000 to 1,300 jobs within three to five years compared with similar counties without them.
• Most gains were in transportation, warehousing, electrical work and security, with little boost for nearby businesses like restaurants and shops.

By the numbers: A recent Cincinnati Regional Chamber report estimates a hypothetical 250-megawatt data center in the region could support 3,203 jobs and bring in $7.8 million in local taxes.

• The estimate includes jobs at the facility, its suppliers, and businesses supported by workers' spending. It doesn't include construction jobs.
• The trade-off: The data center could use as much electricity as 21 average Ohio industrial users and 68 million gallons of water annually.

Closer to home, Greater Cincinnati has 17 operating data centers, with two massive facilities planned in Butler County, per the chamber.

• Lebanon Mayor Mark Messer tells Axios that CyrusOne paid his city $1.5 million in property taxes in 2025. That includes nearly $1 million to schools, plus $377,000 in electricity taxes to the city's general fund.
• Lebanon offered no tax incentives and made CyrusOne cover its electric infrastructure costs, Messer says, though he admits job creation remains a weak spot.

What they're saying: Warren County Commissioner Dave Young says the U.S. needs to lead in AI development, but local governments should control where data centers go.

• The county enacted a six-month moratorium in September to study large data centers.
• Some communities with few economic opportunities will "bend over backwards" to attract them, Young says, but he believes Warren County already has plenty of development and "the juice isn't worth the squeeze."

Chamber CEO Brendon Cull tells Axios communities should negotiate benefits beyond jobs, such as funding for parks or community centers. He says those agreements should also include measures to hold developers accountable for their promises.

• Lebanon is working on a community benefit agreement with CyrusOne, Messer says.

The bottom line: "The benefits [of these centers] are spread to anyone, even in the world, who can access those models," Buechler says, "whereas the costs are very, very local."

An 80-year-old Warren County woman has turned her farm into a one-acre protest against data centers, with a little help from a world-renowned earthworks artist.

Why it matters: As Southwest Ohio communities join the larger pushback against data center developments, the artwork makes a larger-than-life plea to protect farmland.

The big picture: Clearcreek Township, where the farm is located, unanimously approved a yearlong pause in July, before receiving any development proposals.

Driving the news: Kansas-based artist Stan Herd recently transformed Leslie Nogle's hayfield into a giant outline of Ohio, complete with a barn, crops and a message that's hard to miss from above: "NOT FOR SALE TO DATA CENTERS."

• Herd, known for massive earthworks around the world, was commissioned by Data Center Payoffs, a group drawing attention to the industry's impact on communities.

How it happened: Herd connected with Nogle through the Warren County Democratic Party, which helped him find a willing landowner.

• Nogle, who's lived on the farm for 55 years, didn't hesitate.
• "I immediately said, yes, let's do it," she tells Axios. "I thought it was a great idea. Just because of the issue itself."

Between the (crop) lines: Herd and his team spent roughly two weeks creating the design with a weedwacker, colored mulch and corn.

• Nogle and three neighbors spent three days helping fill in the black outlines with mulch.
• "To watch him with that weedwacker create this design was really amazing," she says.

The bottom line: The artwork will eventually fade, but Nogle hopes the message outlasts the mural.

💰 The Air Force Museum Foundation received an anonymous $1.3 million gift using Ohio's unclaimed funds program. (Journal-News)

✨ Nights of Lights is on the move. The drive-thru holiday show opens Nov. 20 at its new home at the Warren County Fairgrounds. The timed, ticketed event runs through Jan. 2. (Nights of Lights)

🎨 Springboro is dedicating a new plaque and lighting at "Origins," its first public mural. The ceremony is at 3pm Tuesday at 15 S. Main St. (Springboro Arts Council)

Warren County communities are honoring military veterans Wednesday with ceremonies, celebrations and a new memorial.

• 🇺🇸 Springboro: A new Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Memorial will be dedicated at Gardner Park at 11am, featuring remarks from Mayor John Agenbroad and keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Viet Luong.
• 🎖️ Mason: The city and American Legion Post 194 will host a 6pm ceremony at the Mason Municipal Center.
• 🎶 Lebanon: Countryside YMCA's free celebration begins at noon, with live music, military honors and a complimentary lunch.
• 💌 Morrow: Salem Township Public Library will host a celebration beginning at 10am, featuring refreshments, card-making for troops and children's activities.

Bonus: Mason is offering veterans and active military free access to city recreation facilities through Wednesday, plus $20 e-gift cards redeemable at more than 60 local businesses. Claim the offers.

🫡 Casey is gonna check out the VOA Museum and the USS Cincinnati Submarine Memorial.

😊 Swilley is grateful for the vets in her life, including her father-in-law. Thanks, Jeff!

Thanks to our editor, Tyler Buchanan.