Five data center companies with operations in New Albany's International Business Park are putting more than $18 million toward helping AEP Ohio customers who are behind on their electric bills.

Meta, Amazon, Google, QTS and SoftBank Energy announced the funding Aug. 18, alongside Gahanna-headquartered AEP Ohio, which called it a "first-of-its-kind effort" involving data center companies contributing to a utility-wide assistance program, according to ABC6. The money will expand AEP Ohio's Neighbor to Neighbor program, which provides grants of up to $350 applied directly to eligible customers' bills.

Meta made the largest commitment: $2 million per year for five years, totaling $10 million. Amazon is contributing $2.5 million in 2026. QTS will provide $1 million annually for three years. SoftBank Energy and Google are each putting in $1 million, with half of Google's share going toward energy-efficiency upgrades for low-income households. AEP Ohio itself is adding another $1 million this year.

The announcement comes as Ohio electricity bills have climbed 22% from May 2025 to May 2026, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data reported by the Columbus Dispatch. That's second nationally only to Hawaii.

"These additional funds are a significant infusion for a program that helps Ohioans in need," AEP Ohio President Marc Reitter said. "This fund has always been about neighbors helping neighbors and we are happy that our data center customers are a part of it."

Chris Rinkus, Meta's public policy director for Ohio, told the Dispatch that Meta is committed to covering the full cost of its data centers' energy use so other ratepayers aren't negatively affected. Meta has operated in New Albany since 2017, investing $1.5 billion and employing 300 full-time workers at its campus there.

The Neighbor to Neighbor program, administered by nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund, has distributed more than $18.5 million across 70,000-plus customer grants since launching in 2009, according to AEP Ohio. The new data center funding roughly doubles the program's lifetime total.

Central Ohio alone has more than 130 data centers, with more planned. The pledge arrives as state regulators scrutinize the industry's growing electricity demands and grid impact.

To qualify for a Neighbor to Neighbor grant, a household's gross income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (about $66,000 for a family of four). Applicants must have an outstanding balance of at least $50, be at least 30 days behind and have paid at least $75 in the past 90 days. Grants are awarded first-come, first-served while funding lasts.

Customers can apply by calling AEP Ohio at 1-800-672-2231 or visiting AEPOhio.com/N2N.