Receiver addresses crypto site fallout

MONROEVILLE — The court-appointed receiver overseeing Monroeville's troubled Gray Matter-related Bitcoin mining site recently told Monroeville officials that the previous operators took advantage of the village. Meanwhile, council members continue to review how future data center development should be regulated. Mark Dottore, president and CEO of Dottore Companies and receiver for the existing Bitcoin mining site, said the former operators are no longer involved. Dottore said: • He is working to address issues at the site, including noise, while also trying to recover about $1.3 million reportedly owed to the village and other secured creditors. • Those now involved with the development, including Decimal Digital CEO Roshan Shah, have been cooperative and described them as reputable. He contrasted them with the previous operators, who he said caused the problems that led to the receivership. • He works for Huron County Common Pleas Court Judge James Conway, not the village, Decimal Digital or any other party involved in the matter. • Any sale of the existing site would have to go through the court with motions filed and parties given time to object before a judge makes a decision. The receiver's comments came during a council work session focused on data center development, the village's current moratorium, possible zoning rules and public input. Existing site separated Monroeville solicitor Jim Barney said the village is dealing with two separate issues: the existing Gray Matter-related crypto site under receivership and separate land owned by Decimal Digital for a possible AI data center. Shah also spoke during the meeting. He said the existing Bitcoin mining site is "unbearably loud" but said the proposed AI data center would use different technology and should not be compared directly with the current operation. Shah has said Decimal Digital has offered, in writing, to help make the village whole on the roughly $1.3 million tied to the Gray Matter matter. Officials also said the existing Bitcoin mining site remains under receivership, meaning any resolution involving the site must move through that legal process. Rules, public input Monroeville councilman Andrew Brown suggested the village create a frequently asked questions document to share information officials believe can be verified. Officials said the document could help answer common questions and be updated as the village receives more information. Barney told council he has been working on language for a possible advisory vote related to data centers. An advisory vote would allow residents to weigh in, but the result of the vote would not be binding. Council could use the vote as formal public feedback as the village continues reviewing the issue. Officials also discussed whether public forums, surveys or other outreach could help gather input. Zoning was also a major part of the discussion. Officials talked about using an overlay district, which would add specific data center rules on top of existing zoning, or requiring conditional use approval in an industrial area. Conditional use approval means a project may be allowed but only after officials review it and set conditions, such as rules for noise, setbacks, generators and other protections. Barney said the approaches could function similarly, depending on how the village structures its rules. Residents and officials raised questions about what protections could be written into zoning, including setbacks, noise limits, generator use and requirements that developers use the best available technology. Several residents said they want more information distributed to the public. Others said residents should have a stronger voice in whether data center development moves forward. Councilman Jim Ehrman said many residents only have the existing Gray Matter-related Bitcoin mining site to compare with the proposed data center. He said that history has fueled some of the distrust and concern surrounding the project. Ehrman said the work sessions do not mean the project has been approved. He said the village needs to have zoning and other rules in place in case a project moves forward. Public meeting planned? Decimal Digital representatives also discussed a planned public information event set for noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the American Legion, 8 S. Main St., in Monroeville. The company said the event will be set up in a "science fair"-style format, allowing residents to speak directly with professionals about water use, noise, economics, zoning and other topics at various stations. After council met in privae with the receiver, a Decimal Digital attorney said the company was disappointed it was not included in the closed-door discussion. She said Decimal Digital has tried to work proactively with the village and wants to remain involved in decisions affecting the site. Barney said it would not have been appropriate to include Decimal Digital in the executive session because the village and Decimal Digital are not necessarily aligned in that part of the litigation. Officials said the next steps include continuing work on possible zoning rules, reviewing outside technical support and determining how best to collect public feedback. The data center discussion is expected to continue at future council and planning meetings.