Residents in Mercer County, Kentucky, have rallied to voice opposition to a proposed data center that would be built on hundreds of acres of “prime farmland.”
Locals expressed concerns about the development’s impact on human lives, animals, and the area’s resources.
Caitlyn Cooper, who owns a horse stable in the area, stated her breeding program is significantly impacted by data centers because they cause animals extreme stress and nervousness, which is detrimental to horse breeding.
Cooper described the proposed site as sitting on prime farmland surrounded by approximately 50 homes and multi-generational farms. She added that if the county wants more technical development, officials should build it on the county’s industrial park instead of over 500 acres of beneficial farming land.
“I’ve gotten to meet a lot of my neighbors through all of this and they have been here for generations,” Cooper said. “There’s some people that have been here over a hundred years with their family. They’re losing their heritage, their tradition.”
Resident Zach Workman emphasized the long-term implications of the project for farmland. He has gone door to door to warn neighbors about potential impacts.
“The water bill goes up, the electric bill goes up, and taxes go up,” Workman said. “People’s property values go down. So we’re trying to stop that.”
Workman has started petitions at local businesses and is urging neighbors to attend public meetings.
Over 1,700 residents have signed a petition opposing the potential data center in Mercer County, with dozens gathering at a public meeting on Wednesday night to voice their opposition.
“Because once it’s built, there’s no turning back. The structure will be there and it’s not going to be reversible,” one resident stated.
Local residents first learned about the project several months ago through a LinkedIn post from a Chicago-based group seeking investors. They have been searching for answers ever since.
Dean expressed fears that the impact would extend beyond their immediate neighborhood and set a precedent for future development.
“Once you start going down that road of zoning farmland for data centers, where does it stop? At that point, there’s no farm safe in Mercer County, no rural community that’s going to be safe,” Dean said.
Residents also have concerns about potential increases to utility costs.
“You would like to think that your utilities wouldn’t go up – water, electricity – somebody is gonna have to bear the cost,” Dean added.
The Harrodsburg-Mercer County Industrial Development Authority reports having received numerous inquiries about data centers in the area. It is a sought-after location due to the county’s extremely high voltage transmission lines and power plant.
Local schools are also weighing in on the potential development. In an official statement, school officials noted they aren’t taking any sides but mentioned that such a project could generate nearly $30 million annually in local school revenue.
