by Karen Fatula
St. Clairsville has evolved from an eighteenth-century village to a small southeastern Ohio city on the cusp of progress in the 21st Century.
At the time the municipality was founded as an eighteenth-century village – long before indoor plumbing and electricity were implemented – but now “St. C” residents enjoy new water infrastructure as well as the dawning of the age of artificial intelligence.
While many communities nationwide rally to oppose AI data centers, St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman says people should look past the protests and into what the true impact of AI centers is on towns. That’s why she planning to visit a data center in New Albany, Ohio, this month “to see what they really are.”
“I will say – and I’ll probably get lit up for this – quit bashing the AI centers until we really know what they are,” she said. “From what I’ve been told, we have to have them here. It’s national security.
“The experts say China and Russia supposedly are behind the campaign to bash the AI centers because they want AI in Russia and China,” she explained. “Those experts claim that’s why they’re hacking our stuff.”
That’s why Thalman wants to know the truth about environmental and noise impacts of AI data centers.
“I want to see what they really are. What is the reality of the water use? How loud are they? Because I don’t want to think that we’re missing a good opportunity because of disinformation.”
Upcoming Community Events
While Thalman hopes to bring more economic opportunities to St. Clairsville, she emphasized that the community has a fun side and offers many events year-round for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“St. Clairsville is so dynamic. There is stuff going on all the time,” she said.
Thalman highlighted several upcoming community events in St. Clairsville.
The city is also collaborating with the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce for a Halloween Bash on Thursday, Oct. 22 featuring adult trick or treating and hors d’oeuvres, Light Up Night on Saturday, Nov. 21 for the community Christmas tree on the courthouse plaza and the Christmas parade on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Art Show
Thalman is excited about the Fall 2026 Art Show slated for Oct. 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Unified Bank Jr. Sports Building located at 102 Fair Avenue.
“On Oct. 23, we are doing one of my particular favorite things. We’re doing the art show. We had done that last year and it was a huge success. We had 40 artists participating. This year we’re opening it up and asking high schools to put some artwork in. We have so many talented kids in this area. It’s not just limited to St. Clairsville kids. We’re opening it to Belmont County and the local area so if Linsly or Park or Central or some of the kids from across the river want to bring some things in we’d be tickled to see them.”
Thalman says it is important to showcase local artists.
“I know there are a lot of people in this valley who have so much talent, and I want them to have a venue to show it off,” she said.
Thalman describes herself as an amateur artist with an interest in French Impressionism.
“I’ve always loved to paint. My grandpap was an artist. When I was little, I would sit on his lap and he would help me. I’m not good, but I’m very interested and I love the arts. I read a quote one time that if you give a man bread and water you’ve fed him for a day, but if you give someone art and music you’ve fed their soul for their lifetime and that just resonated with me,”
The art show is open to students ages 15 to 17 and adults 18 and older. The entry deadline is Oct. 19. For more information, see the event page here.
