This Month's Latest Tech News in Toledo, OH - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

April 2025 marks a momentous and challenging month for Toledo's tech landscape as Meta officially unveils an $800 million AI-optimized data center in Middleton Township, signaling robust growth and collaboration across Northwest Ohio.

Expected to bring 100 high-paying permanent jobs, spark millions in local economic activity, and prioritize community grants and clean energy, Meta's project embodies the region's hopes to become a digital hub while strengthening partnerships with public schools and civic organizations.

Yet, the momentum faces headwinds: Microsoft cancelled its anticipated $1 billion data center expansion in Licking County, citing shifting demand and a broader retrenchment in hyperscale investment.

Read more about the Microsoft data center cancellation in Licking County, Ohio.

These mixed signals highlight both the high-stakes ambitions and volatility shaping Northwest Ohio's digital infrastructure race. As Governor Mike DeWine noted,

“Ohio is shaping the future of the data-driven digital economy, and we are pleased that Meta chose Wood County for this new investment. Northwest Ohio's talent pipeline and strategic location will create an environment where Meta, and the other technology companies they attract, can thrive while bringing new opportunities for our regional workforce and their families.”

Meta - the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp - has officially announced the construction of an $800 million, AI-optimized data center in Middleton Township, Bowling Green, marking a major milestone for Northwest Ohio's tech sector.

Spanning 715,000 square feet across 280 acres, the state-of-the-art facility will run on 100% clean and renewable energy and is projected to open by 2027, creating about 100 permanent high-paying jobs and employing more than 1,000 workers at peak construction.

This significant investment is already driving local economic development, with Eastwood Local Schools set to receive nearly $900,000 annually from the data center's presence through tax incentives.

Governor Mike DeWine celebrated the announcement, stating,

“Ohio is shaping the future of the data-driven digital economy, and we are pleased that Meta chose Wood County for this new investment.”

Collaboration among entities such as the Wood County Economic Development Commission and JobsOhio was crucial in bringing Meta's 28th global data center to fruition.

As detailed in local news coverage from The Sentinel-Tribune, Meta chose the location for its strong talent pipeline, access to infrastructure, and supportive community partners.

According to WTOL 11's report on Meta's data center, Meta is committed to sourcing local labor and materials, and opportunities will be posted at Meta Careers.

Regional leaders expect Meta's move will attract further innovation and tech businesses to the region, with further details available from industry reports at the Construction Owners Club's coverage on Meta's data center investment.

Feature	Detail
Investment	$800 million
Facility Size	715,000 sq. ft. on 280 acres
Permanent Jobs	100
Construction Jobs	1,000+
Operational Target	2027
Energy Source	100% clean & renewable
Community Benefit	$900,000/year to schools

Meta's groundbreaking $800 million Bowling Green Data Center is taking shape in close partnership with Northwest Ohio's leading economic organizations - including the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), JobsOhio, and multiple local government entities - to deliver a major boost to the region's tech infrastructure and workforce.

Collaboration with these partners ensured the project's successful launch, driven by what Meta called “great access to infrastructure and renewable energy, a strong pool of talent, and a wonderful set of community partners that have helped us move this project forward.”

“Northwest Ohio's talent pipeline and strategic location will create an environment where Meta, and the other technology companies they attract, can thrive while bringing new opportunities for our regional workforce and their families.” - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

The 715,000-square-foot, AI-optimized facility, located on a 280-acre site, will employ around 100 permanent workers with an average salary exceeding $83,000, provide jobs for over 1,000 construction workers during peak activity, and operate on 100% clean, renewable energy.

Meta will also invest millions in local schools through community action grants and is set to launch digital skills training for area organizations. The long-term impact extends to substantial tax revenue for local districts and incentives that are expected to catalyze further tech and business investment in the region.

For a detailed breakdown of the center's economic and technical highlights, see the table below.

Investment	Completion Date	Permanent Jobs	Construction Jobs	Energy Source	Partners
$800 million	2027	~100 (avg. $83,000/yr)	1,000+	100% renewable	RGP, JobsOhio, Wood County Economic Dev.

Explore further coverage and community insights at the Regional Growth Partnership and JobsOhio's official announcement of Meta's $800M Data Center, a firsthand summary from BG Independent Media on Meta's $800M center north of Bowling Green, and reporting by WTOL covering Meta's local economic and educational commitments.

Microsoft has announced a significant pause in its $1 billion data center project in Licking County near Columbus, reflecting both shifting AI demand and new economic headwinds.

Originally slated to deliver three massive campuses in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron - with planned investments totaling $1 billion, a 245,000-square-foot flagship facility, and hundreds of anticipated jobs - the decision arrives amid rising construction costs, uncertainty from U.S. tariff policies, and a more cautious industry outlook.

According to Noelle Walsh, President of Microsoft Cloud Operations,

"Any significant new endeavor at this size and scale requires agility and refinement as we learn and grow with our customers. What this means is that we are slowing or pausing some early-stage projects."

Complexity from evolving U.S.–China trade dynamics and energy demands also factored into the pause, as Microsoft's infrastructure expansion faces new tariffs on equipment suppliers and increased pressure on Ohio's utility grid.

The company, however, is not selling the land and will continue to honor commitments for local infrastructure, leaving the door open for future development. Local officials remain hopeful, noting the ongoing regional presence of major tech firms like Meta and Google.

For a more detailed breakdown, see the latest reporting on Microsoft's investment strategy, construction timeline, and regional impact: Microsoft pauses Ohio data center project, analysis of factors like tariffs and AI demand at AI data center boom: strategic pause, not bust, and local economic insight from Microsoft backs out of Licking County data center.

Site	Original Status	Current Status	Notes
New Albany	Approved, 245,000 sq ft, $420M	Delayed	Land retained by Microsoft
Heath	Planned	Delayed, available for farming	Awaiting future evaluation
Hebron	Planned	Delayed, available for farming	Awaiting future evaluation

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is accelerating its regional tech leadership by partnering with Ohio innovators Kata Solution LLC and IoTco, forming a public-private alliance to bring cutting-edge artificial intelligence and smart technology education to campus and drive advanced manufacturing statewide.

The partnership, formalized in April 2025, will launch pilot programs, strategic initiatives, and Ohio's first bachelor's degree in AI, while giving students real-world, hands-on experience in Industry 4.0 automation, IoT, and digital transformation.

As BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers put it,

“As a public university for the public good, Bowling Green State University is committed to fostering innovative partnerships that create student learning experiences and opportunities, while supporting Ohio's economy.”

Industry leaders will mentor students on digital roadmaps, micro-credentials, and AI-powered solutions to optimize manufacturing with “near-zero downtime, defects, and waste.” The BGSU School of Engineering, after a record-breaking enrollment year and recent launches of degrees in Robotics, Mechanical, and Electronic Engineering, is uniquely poised to address local workforce needs and to retain Ohio talent.

For a deeper dive into this collaboration and student career opportunities, read the official announcement from BGSU's news center announcement on AI and smart technology partnership, explore how this program builds advanced manufacturing readiness in WTOL's feature on BGSU AI bachelor's degree program, and learn more about opportunities for engineering students helping local firms integrate technology at BG Independent Media coverage on Kata Solution and local tech integration.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Northwest Ohio are rapidly embracing practical AI solutions, with new research showing that 83% of growing SMBs are experimenting with artificial intelligence and 91% report increased revenue resulting from AI use.

The market is moving away from generic tools to industry-specific solutions that offer measurable ROI, such as automated underwriting in insurance or inventory optimization for retailers; by late 2025, experts predict each major industry sector will be dominated by 3–4 specialized AI vendors.

Technologies like Microsoft Copilot Studio, which now enables agents to interact directly with desktop applications and adds advanced workflow automation, are helping SMBs reduce manual processes and boost productivity.

Despite adoption hurdles - complex licensing, evolving features, and regulatory concerns - foundational investments in quality data, security, and integrated tech stacks are paying off, with 78% of SMB leaders viewing AI as a “game changer” for their businesses.

As summarized by Salesforce EVP Kris Billmaier,

“AI and agents are reshaping what's possible across marketing, sales, service, and commerce. SMBs adopting AI see significant returns and are doubling down on investments. Their success provides a blueprint including solutions like Agentforce - autonomous AI agents to drive growth.”

For a breakdown of AI's impact on SMB growth, see the table below and explore how Copilot's new automation and analytics capabilities are streamlining work for regional small businesses through industry-specific solutions and robust Microsoft 365 integrations.

For more on these evolving trends and practical SMB resources, check out the Salesforce SMB AI Trends 2025 study and TechAisle's top SMB predictions for 2025.

Metric	Growing SMBs	Declining SMBs
Experimenting with AI	83%	Not specified
Planning to increase AI investment	78%	55%
Integrated tech stack usage	66%	32%
Improved margins from AI	86%	-

OpenAI has redefined the frontier of artificial intelligence with the release of its o3 and o4-mini models, widely acclaimed as their most advanced and capable reasoning models yet.

These models bring unprecedented agentic intelligence to ChatGPT, featuring deep tool integration - such as web browsing, Python execution, and image analysis - while independently deciding how and when to deploy these tools for optimal results.

Both models outperform previous iterations across academic and real-world benchmarks; for instance, o4-mini achieved 93.4% accuracy on the challenging AIME 2024 math competition while o3 set a new bar in coding by attaining an ELO of 2706 in global programming tasks.

Advanced visual reasoning enables both models to analyze, rotate, zoom, and extract insight from complex images as part of their problem-solving chain. Available now to ChatGPT Pro, Plus, Team, and GitHub Copilot users, these models deliver faster, more detailed answers in under a minute and empower developers with cost-efficient, high-volume usage.

As TechCrunch reports on OpenAI's latest AI reasoning models, these models are also shifting workplace automation and software engineering, integrating with APIs and developer tools for more agentic, collaborative workflows.

“With previous models like ChatGPT, you ask them a question and they immediately start responding… This model can take its time. It can think through the problem - in English - and try to break it down and look for angles in an effort to provide the best answer,”

notes OpenAI Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki in The Indian Express explanation of OpenAI o3 and o4-mini models.

For a full technical overview, including multi-domain benchmarks and developer guidance, visit the official OpenAI announcement for o3 and o4-mini models or reference the summary table below:

Model	SWE-bench (%)	AIME 2024 (%)	Input Cost (per M tokens)	Output Cost (per M tokens)
o3	69.1	–	$10.00	$40.00
o4-mini	68.1	93.4	$1.10	$4.40

Despite Toledo's recent recognition among the top 10 U.S. cities for new business investment, the city still finds itself lagging in the 2025 national tech and innovation rankings compared to regional and national leaders.

While cities like New York, San Francisco, and Austin dominate the top 10 spots for technology infrastructure, job opportunities, and innovation ecosystems, Toledo's progress is tempered by persistent challenges such as population decline, small business closures, and struggles in attracting major tech employers.

According to a comprehensive 2025 ranking of America's top tech cities, none of Ohio's cities - including Toledo - crack the highest echelons for tech jobs, startups, or university programs, with regions like Columbus and Cleveland faring slightly better in specific sectors.

Recent budgetary reports highlight ongoing issues with blight, crime, and economic engagement within Toledo, as well as suburban migration and unfulfilled tech investment promises - notably, the collapse of Bitwise Industries' project in 2023.

As discussed in the city's own budget review,

“These are absolutely uncertain times... No one ever knows what the future is going to hold.”

“They could have picked any city, and they picked Toledo first.”

Despite this optimism from Mayor Kapszukiewicz regarding new innovation initiatives, most new tech-focused projects and innovation hubs are being launched on the periphery in neighboring suburbs, such as Perrysburg, rather than within Toledo proper, according to a Toledo Free Press special report on the 2025 budget.

The city's economic revitalization efforts, including the forthcoming Glass Center of Excellence with a $31.3 million grant, serve as hopeful signals; however, experts note Toledo must overcome deep-seated economic and infrastructural challenges to compete nationally.

For readers seeking the details of how major tech cities are measured and where Toledo stands, the full methodology and rankings can be seen in the original Top Tech Cities in the US 2025 report.

Meta's $800 million green energy data center under construction in Wood County, just north of Bowling Green, signals a transformative moment for northwest Ohio's tech ambitions.

The 715,000-square-foot, AI-optimized facility, set to open in 2027, will be powered by 100% clean and renewable energy - a key factor that influenced Meta's site selection over tax incentives.

Local economic development officials highlight its broader ripple effects, from job creation to innovation: approximately 100 high-paying, permanent positions and up to 1,000 construction jobs at peak.

As Brad Davis, Meta's Director of Data Center Community and Economic Development, explained,

“We selected Middleton Township for a number of reasons, including great access to infrastructure and renewable energy, a strong pool of talent, and a wonderful set of community partners.”

Sustained commitment includes millions in grants for Eastwood and Otsego schools and a broader action grants program supporting nonprofits and STEAM education.

The initiative has drawn praise for both its collaborative, public-private approach and its long-term economic potential: “Ohio is shaping the future of the data-driven digital economy,” said Governor Mike DeWine, citing Meta's investment as a catalyst for further high-tech growth in the region.

Below is a snapshot of the project's regional impact:

Project Detail	Figure/Value
Investment	$800+ million
Facility Size	715,000 sq. ft. on 280 acres
Permanent Jobs	~100 (avg. salary: $83K)
Construction Workforce	1,000 at peak
Local School Grants	$900K/year, per district
Opening Date	Expected 2027
Energy Source	100% renewable

Explore more about Meta's vision for the Bowling Green Data Center's environmental goals and economic footprint, government remarks on driving Ohio's digital economy, and local perspectives in BG Independent Media's detailed community coverage.

This April, Toledo's tech-minded youth paid tribute to Carlo Acutis - the soon-to-be-canonized “patron of the internet” - by designing and dedicating a statue at Immaculate Conception Church.

Carlo, who died in 2006 at age 15, left a digital legacy as a web designer cataloging Eucharistic miracles and inspiring young programmers around the world. As one local student said,

“I think just his kindness - seeing how young he was and so devoted to God and helping others - made me kind of want to do the same... That really made me want to make something with my class so everybody else could learn about him.”

The momentum reached beyond Toledo, with film screenings, youth-led social initiatives, and national attention on his example.

While his April 27 canonization was postponed following the death of Pope Francis, celebrations of Carlo's impact remain undiminished, echoing his famous encouragement “to always be close to Jesus!” and his philosophy that tech can be harnessed as a force for good.

For deeper coverage, read how Toledo students and parishes honored Blessed Carlo Acutis in OSV News' profile on youth-driven veneration of Carlo Acutis, discover the Vatican's update on the postponed canonization at Catholic News Agency report on the postponement of Carlo Acutis' canonization, and see how young tech enthusiasts across the U.S. are connecting with Carlo's story in AP's special report on the first millennial saint Carlo Acutis.

Below is a snapshot of key facts about Carlo Acutis:

Name	Born	Died	Known For	Canonization Status
Carlo Acutis	1991, London	2006, Italy (age 15)	Web designer, Eucharist devotion, digital evangelism	Canonization postponed (original date: Apr 27, 2025)

Ohio has rapidly ascended as a national frontrunner in AI and data infrastructure, solidifying its status with Meta's $800 million, AI-optimized data center now underway in Wood County.

Spanning 715,000 square feet on a 280-acre campus, the project will deliver approximately 100 permanent high-paying jobs and employ over 1,000 workers at its construction peak, while collaborating closely with local schools and community organizations.

“Ohio is shaping the future of the data-driven digital economy, and we are pleased that Meta chose Wood County for this new investment,”

said Governor Mike DeWine, emphasizing the region's role at the center of digital transformation.

The Bowling Green Data Center will operate on 100% clean and renewable energy, reflecting Northwest Ohio's robust energy sector, which attracted nearly $3 billion in investment last year.

This facility is Meta's second in the state and one of 1,500+ data centers that have driven a fourfold increase in Ohio's data capacity since 2011. The influx of tech giants and investments - like Amgen's $900 million expansion and AWS's new $1B facility in Marysville - demonstrate Ohio's strong business climate and commitment to economic growth.

For a deeper dive into Ohio's economic upswing, visit this overview of Ohio's economic development from Business Facilities.

To learn more about the region's clean energy leadership supporting tech infrastructure, read the full coverage in the Sentinel-Tribune's report on Meta's Wood County Data Center.

Further details on Meta's project timeline, local impact, and industry context are available from the Construction Owners Club article on the new Meta data center in Ohio.

Facility/Investment	Value	Jobs Created	Location
Meta Data Center	$800M	100+ permanent, 1,000+ construction	Wood County (NW Ohio)
Amgen Expansion	$900M	350+ (Columbus area)	Central Ohio
AWS Facility	$1B	N/A	Marysville, Ohio

Toledo's tech landscape stands at a pivotal crossroads in April 2025, reflecting both the promise and complexities of rapid regional transformation. Major investments such as Meta's $800 million, 715,000-square-foot data center in Wood County signal confidence in Northwest Ohio's robust talent pipeline, strategic infrastructure, and commitment to renewable energy - a development hailed by state and local leaders as a catalyst for further tech-driven growth.

Public input is actively shaping the city's five-year vision through Toledo's draft 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, focusing on fostering inclusive economic opportunity, housing access, and infrastructure improvement, with federal funding directed to benefit low- and moderate-income residents (the full plan details, review locations, and comment opportunities are outlined at the City of Toledo's official channels).

Meanwhile, growing emphasis on public-private partnerships - championed nationally and within the region - is accelerating innovative urban solutions, infrastructure upgrades, and economic revitalization, as analyzed in this breakdown of PPPs' urban impact:

Role of PPPs	Community Impact
Infrastructure Development	Modernizes transport, energy, broadband
Urban Regeneration	Revitalizes neglected neighborhoods
Economic Growth	Attracts businesses and jobs
Faster Resource Allocation	Reduces delays for essential projects
Knowledge Transfer	Builds public sector capacity

As Toledo seeks to balance opportunity with community voice and sustainability, the months ahead will be decisive in defining whether this inflection point leads to lasting prosperity, equitable access, and a thriving innovation ecosystem.