🏠 Property tax crisis hits Ohioans as home values soar. The County Auditors Association of Ohio (CAAO) has proposed four solutions to combat the problem, including expanding the homestead exemption and increasing owner occupancy credits. Home values have jumped dramatically - 37% in Knox County, 36% in Ashland County, and 28% in Richland County - driving up tax bills for residents. The CAAO also recommends limiting the "20-mill floor" provision that guarantees minimum funding for school districts, suggesting it should be tied to inflation rather than property values. Auditors warn that without legislative action, citizens might resort to drastic measures like the proposed initiative to abolish property taxes entirely.
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🔌 Ohio approves special billing rules for power-hungry data centers. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has given AEP the green light to charge data centers differently, acknowledging the strain these facilities put on the electrical grid. Tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta had appealed against the plan, but their objections were dismissed, though they may still take the case to the Ohio Supreme Court. The new tariffs include billing minimums and exit fees to ensure data centers "pay their own way" rather than spreading infrastructure costs to other consumers. With data centers expected to double Central Ohio's energy demand by 2030, regulators called the decision a "well-balanced package" protecting residential customers.
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👗 Columbus stitches together a bold new fashion hub. The Columbus College of Art & Design and Columbus Fashion Alliance are launching "The Loom," a 43,000-square-foot innovation center in a former CCAD building. This collaborative space will provide designers, students, and entrepreneurs with professional equipment, mentorship opportunities, and business resources. The project builds on Columbus' existing strengths as a home for fashion-based businesses, with Franklin County having invested over $5 million in the local fashion industry recently. City leaders believe the partnership will fuel downtown growth, attract young professionals, and establish Columbus as a fashion capital alongside other major cities.
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Cape Gem Modern Updates Backyard: This charming $385,000 Cape Cod in Merion Village offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood floors, and updated features including a 2020 furnace, granite countertops, and a backyard with patio and built-in gas grill.
Polo Club Living Updated Accessible: Nestled in Polo Club Condos, this $299,000 two-floor abode features 3 beds, 2.5 baths, and a 2-car garage, with updated bathrooms, accessibility features, and convenient access to shopping centers and highways.
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