Foxconn’s Lordstown project raises questions about utility capacity

LORDSTOWN, Ohio - Foxconn and SoftBank are moving forward with plans to manufacture AI data center equipment at the former GM plant in Lordstown, but questions remain about whether local infrastructure is ready to support the project’s massive power demands.

At a Tuesday meeting of the Lordstown Village Board of Public Affairs, Village Engineer Christopher Kogelnik said the responsibility for power planning does not fall on the village.

“That would most likely be handled between the entity that’s needing the power and coordination with FirstEnergy who would sell the electric to the facility,” Kogelnik said. He added that officials are still waiting for forecasted demands from the company and don’t yet know whether upgrades to water or utility systems will be required.

Utility Superint