Proposed
Karis Critical 'Smart Farms' data center campus (Beech and Green Chapel roads)
Also called: Karis Critical New Albany
Karis Critical plans eight data center buildings, about 1.6 million square feet, on 114 acres of farm fields near Johnstown. It asked Ohio EPA to fill about 2 acres of wetlands. Karis builds sites for others and does not run data centers itself.
Where things stand: Land rezoned and annexed in 2025. The company asked Ohio EPA in early 2026 to fill about 2 acres of wetlands.
🕒 Latest update (Jan 2026): Karis asked Ohio EPA for permission to fill wetlands and streams on the site.
What we know
- 📍 WhereCorner of Beech and Green Chapel roads at Route 62, south of Johnstown, New Albany, Licking County
- 🏢 CompanyKaris Critical
- 🌳 Size114 acres
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Did Ohio EPA approve the wetland permit? 🙋 I'll find out
- Who would run the data centers, and how much power and water would they use? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- July 2025The land was approved for rezoning and annexation into New Albany.
- Jan 2026Karis asked Ohio EPA for permission to fill wetlands and streams on the site.
🛰️ See it from above
An aerial photo of the area.
We only know the town, so this shows the town center, not the exact site. Photos: USGS The National Map.
Where this comes from
- Large data center complex proposed for 114 acres just south of Johnstown · The Reporting Project · Jan 23, 2026
- Karis Critical: New Albany, OH · Baxtel
See something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.