Mayor Haley Seeks $28M from Proposed AWS Data Center for Safety Facility

During the Wilmington City Council meeting on July 2, 2026, Mayor Pat Haley addressed a question that he said has been circulating in the community on social media: What would the City of Wilmington receive if Amazon builds a proposed data center in the area?

Haley said the city is pursuing financial assistance from Amazon to fund a new public safety facility, with a goal of securing $28 million to construct a combined police and fire headquarters. According to the mayor, the project would replace the city's aging fire station, which is about 65 years old, while bringing police and fire operations together under one roof to improve coordination, response times, and overall public safety.

The proposed facility has been discussed by city officials for several months. Haley said combining emergency services into one centralized location would improve operational efficiency while also addressing concerns about emergency response delays caused by railroad crossings that can block access through parts of the city.

"As Wilmington experiences steady growth, welcoming new residents, businesses, and development, it's important that our public safety services grow alongside the city," Haley said.

According to Haley, a consultant hired by the city approximately seven or eight months ago estimated the cost of the new safety building at about $28 million. Rather than relying on local taxpayers to fund the project, the city is attempting to negotiate financial support from Amazon if the proposed data center moves forward.

Haley said Amazon's initial proposal included $1 million upfront, which was later increased to $10 million upfront. However, he said the city's objective is to obtain the full estimated project cost upfront rather than relying on future tax revenue generated over time.

"Negotiations are still ongoing. No agreement has been finalized," Haley said.

The mayor also addressed claims circulating on social media regarding payments from Amazon. Haley stated that the city has not received any funds from Amazon, calling claims suggesting otherwise misinformation.

"There have been no secret meetings," Haley said, explaining that negotiations are following standard economic development procedures.

Haley also outlined how large economic development projects typically progress in Ohio. He explained in 2011, former Governor John Kasich signed House Bill No. 1, establishing JobsOhio as a private non-profit corporation to drive job creation and capital investment statewide. Once a company identifies a potential location, JobsOhio works with local partners—in Wilmington's case, the Clinton County Port Authority—to negotiate project details.

He said confidentiality is common throughout these discussions because companies often evaluate multiple states before making a final decision. During negotiations, projects frequently operate under code names to protect proprietary business information and maintain competitiveness.

Haley acknowledged that many residents have expressed concerns about the proposed data center during public comment sessions, including individuals who live outside Wilmington's city limits. While emphasizing that those opinions are important and are being heard, he also noted that the city has more than 12,000 residents whose perspectives may not always be represented during council meetings.

The mayor concluded by discussing the increasing role data centers play in modern infrastructure, noting their importance in healthcare, banking, manufacturing, education, and everyday online services.

"This is the sort of challenge that defines public leadership," Haley said. "The council doesn't take these decisions lightly."

Negotiations between the City of Wilmington and Amazon remain ongoing, and no final agreement regarding project funding has been announced.

Learn more at wilmingtonohio.gov.