Canton Council Weighs Data Center Tax Breaks
The city considers a 75% property tax abatement plan for three new data center projects.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Data Centers
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Canton City Council held a second reading on a proposal to grant 75% property tax abatements for three new data centers. Developers would instead pay $62.5 million in Community Benefit Payments to the city over the next 30 years.
Why it matters
The proposed Community Benefit Payments are expected to generate nearly six times the revenue for the city compared to standard property tax collections. This strategy allows the city to capture more funding while incentivizing large-scale industrial investment.
The plan covers two hyperscale data centers operated by Amazon and one facility developed by DAMAC. These projects are slated for locations at Trump Avenue and Orchardview Street SE, Millerton Street and Central Avenue SE, and a site across from Republic Steel.
The players
Amazon
This multinational technology company is the primary developer for two of the proposed hyperscale data centers in the city.
DAMAC
This development firm is slated to build and operate one of the smaller data centers included in the city council proposal.
Canton City Council
This local governing body holds the legislative authority to approve property tax abatements and negotiate municipal development agreements.
The details
Under this agreement, the city replaces standard property tax structures with negotiated benefit payments from the developers. While the city expects significant revenue gains, the Canton Local School district and the township are identified as entities that will face revenue losses from the abatements.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: City Council held second readings for tax abatements.
November 2, 2026: City Council is expected to approve the tax abatements.
Next 30 years: Developers will pay $62.5 million in benefit payments.
The Tech Race
This move signals a strategic shift in how municipalities capture value from the massive infrastructure demands of modern hyperscale data centers. It reflects a broader trend of cities bypassing traditional tax models to negotiate direct funding for local public services.
Residents may see an increase in local municipal funding over the next three decades if the benefit payment agreement is finalized. However, local school districts and townships could experience budgetary challenges due to the property tax exemptions granted to the developers.
The takeaway
This agreement highlights a growing trend where cities prioritize upfront cash agreements over long-term property tax revenue to fund local projects. Residents should monitor future council meetings to see how the loss of tax revenue will affect specific school and township services.
What happens next
The Canton City Council is scheduled to hold a final vote on the proposed tax abatements for the three data centers on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the infrastructure requirements of these facilities, visit the Data Centers section.
Live Poll
Should your city offer tax breaks to attract large data center projects?
