A new data center has been proposed in American Township, but some residents are voicing their concerns. On Monday night at the American Township Board of Trustees meeting, details were shared on a possible nearly 163-acre data center occupying land along Cole Street north of Bluelick Road. Proposed construction includes 3 data center units with a main office building, a security office, mounding areas, 2 water basins, and an AEP substation. After the proposal was shared, several American Township residents addressed the board of trustees with concerns about this potential data center.

It's offering a new route to repay federal loans under far more generous terms. President Joe Biden announced the plan in August, but it was overshadowed by his sweeping plan to slash or eliminate student debt for 40 million Americans. Education department officials today called the new plan a "Student Loan Safety Net" that'll prevent borrowers from getting overloaded with debt. The President is moving forward with the repayment plan even as his one-time debt cancellation faces an uncertain fate before the Supreme Court.

The city has $1,087,241 in the Community Development Block Grant funding, which is a little less than last year, and $316,176 HOME funds to disperse. The Home money goes towards programs that involved affordable housing, and the CDBG funds also are for affordable housing and community development programs. The city got 19 proposals requesting $4.2 million dollars, which is $2.7 million more than the money they have available. So, some programs saw a reduction in their funding or didn’t get approved for funding at all. 

This past spring, the city administration held Community Engagement Meetings, conducted online surveys and took email recommendations from citizens and business leaders about where they would like to see that money go. Some of the areas in the proposal include $1.5 million for the demolition of blighted homes, over $3 million to improve housing, $6 million for job creation and economic development, and $7 million to help with revenue recovery for Lima's operation budget.

Rhodes State College will be applying to the higher learning commission to be approved to offer a bachelor of science in nursing degree. They currently offer degrees for state-tested nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and an associate degree for a registered nurse. So getting approval for a bachelor's degree is important for the college to help expand opportunities for their students, but also for local hospitals as well.

The students presented three class project proposals to the Rotarians who then voted on which one would become their class project. The choices included “Project Hope”, “Team Break’d”, and “Kind Minds.” The winner, “Project Hope - Helping Others Persevere Every Day,” in which the students are looking to assist in turning disabilities into abilities.

Ohio's voucher program is currently targeted toward children enrolled in underperforming schools. The bill sponsored by state representatives from Shelby and Sandusky would allow any child to use vouchers to cover part of the cost of private school tuition or other education opportunities, such as tutoring. The bill discussed Tuesday would provide $5,500 per kindergarten through eighth-grade student and $7,500 per high school student. Democrats say the proposal amounts to defunding already challenged public schools.

A group that is trying to legalize marijuana in Ohio has gotten enough signatures for the state legislature to look at their proposed legislation.

Both are asking for a budget that is over $700,000 more than the previous year. The police department is looking to increase the number of officers budgeted by 5, which will take up part of that increase, as well as the higher salaries per contractual obligations. Fire and EMS are adding 2 ambulances following a record high year for calls to them and looking to add 3 additional first responders as well as the increase in pay per contractual obligations.