PIKETON, Ohio — In a move that could reshape the local economic landscape, the Piketon Village Council is set to convene tonight to deliberate on a proposed tax hike and the annexation of the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (A-Plant) into village limits.
The meeting, scheduled for 7 PM at the Piketon Village Hall, marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of the A-Plant, which has been a focal point for economic development since its decommissioning. The annexation would extend Piketon’s boundaries to encompass the entire A-Plant site, which includes significant redevelopment projects such as Centrus’s commercial uranium enrichment with over 10,000 centrifuges, OKLO’s experimental nuclear reactors, Trillium’s hydrogen production facility, and plans for a new data center and nickel reprocessing plant.
The proposed annexation follows a similar attempt in 2023, where the village limits were extended down Shyville Road to include key facilities like the OSU Endeavor Centers and WAI Construction. This new proposal aims to bring all A-Plant property under Piketon’s jurisdiction, thereby allowing the village to levy income tax on the workforce at the site.
The mayor, Billy Spencer failed to show to the meeting.
Despite the potential economic benefits, the move has stirred significant opposition among local residents. Many argue that the annexation is primarily a financial strategy by village officials, who are seen as focusing more on revenue than on addressing the site’s long history of contamination. Critics also point out a lack of transparency and engagement from the village leadership regarding these issues.
Efforts to get a comment from Mayor Billy Spencer were unsuccessful as of the latest update.
Tonight’s council meeting is expected to be contentious, with discussions likely to delve into not only the financial implications of the annexation but also the environmental and community concerns it raises. The outcome of this meeting could set the tone for how Piketon navigates its future development amidst its complex industrial past.
Stay tuned for updates following tonight’s council session.