Global tech company Meta hosted a reception April 30 in Bowling Green to celebrate the first recipients of its Data Center Community Action Grants program.
The purpose of the program is to support projects that put technology to use for community benefit, enable people to build strong, sustainable communities, and improve local STEAM education.
The 11 grantees are all located in Wood County, the home of Meta’s $800 million data center which is currently under construction in Middleton Township. The recipients include nonprofits, school districts and community organizations.
“Strong communities, like Wood County, don’t grow by chance - they grow through intentional investment. That’s why we’re committed to playing a positive role where we operate, supporting ideas that create lasting local impact. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s inaugural grant recipients, whose work continues to strengthen and uplift the community through Meta’s Data Center Community Action Grants.”
– Amanda Miller Bartlome, community development regional manager, Meta
Meta announced in April 2025 plans to construct a 715,000 square-foot data center on a 280-acre site in Wood County. Once completed, the facility will represent an investment of more than $800 million in the state and will support approximately 100 jobs. Meta anticipates more than 1,000 construction workers onsite at the peak of construction.
“Meta is already proving to be an outstanding employer and strong community partner,” said Dean Monske, president and CEO, Regional Growth Partnership. “This new grant program provides new, creative opportunities for area nonprofits to support our communities.”
Eastwood High School’s Jennifer Moorman said the grant will allow students to utilize augmented reality tools that can help train them for post-secondary careers. In addition, the grant will help students learn and create digital storytelling of historical landmarks.
“For example, if you’re at Fort Meigs and you want to learn about the battle of 1812, you as the viewer can scan a QR code and what appears before you is a beautiful, digital story, perhaps a painting of a battle,” said Moorman, the visual arts educator at the high school. “The fact it’s created by students engages them with the landscape they are living in and teaches them how to use that tool and maybe apply to another vocation in the future.”
Tim Tegge, executive director, Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, said they will use it to help provide assistive technology training and support in devices for people who are blind or low vision.
“Assistive technology opens doors and opportunities for people who live with vision loss, helping them stay connected to information, to family and friends, job opportunities, career opportunities, whether it’s on smart phones, tablets, desktop computers,” Tegge said. “Those are things we teach people how to use throughout their day and in the workplace.”
The 2026 Meta Data Center Community Action Grants recipients included
- Bowling Green Middle School
- Bowling Green Recycling Inc.
- Bowling Green State University
- Eastwood High School
- Eastwood Local Schools
- Four Corners Center
- Otsego Local School District
- Perrysburg Schools Foundation
- The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio
- Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department
- Wood County Educational Service Center
About the Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.