‘Needs to be protected’: Shaker Village CEO urges public to speak out ahead of data center ordinance vote
Leaders at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill are urging Mercer County residents to oppose a proposed zoning ordinance for data centers ahead of an upcoming Fiscal Court vote. The village is concerned about noise, light pollution, and loss of rural serenity from a planned Panattoni data center near their historic site. Mercer County previously enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers, but the developer is still pursuing plans.
Leaders at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill are urging Mercer County residents to speak out against a proposed zoning ordinance concerning data centers before a vote by the Mercer County Fiscal Court. Billy Rankin, president and CEO of Shaker Village, expressed frustration that local officials, including the county judge-executive, have refused to meet directly with village leadership to discuss their concerns, despite Shaker Village being a significant employer and tourist destination.
Shaker Village, a national historic landmark, contributes over $7 million annually to the local economy and draws more than 100,000 visitors. Rankin emphasized that while the village does not oppose data centers in general, they object to facilities being built adjacent to protected historic land, specifically raising concerns about potential noise and light pollution that could disrupt the visitor experience and local wildlife. He noted that the proposed site, less than a mile from visitor areas, would destroy a beautiful area for no clear purpose.
Developer Panattoni is pursuing plans for a data center campus on hundreds of acres of nearby farmland, despite the Mercer County Fiscal Court having approved a one-year moratorium on data centers earlier in the summer. A Panattoni spokesperson stated the project is being thoughtfully planned in an area with existing industrial infrastructure, including a large power plant, and will undergo a rigorous review process. They assured that significant buffers and dry-cooled systems would minimize visual, noise, and water impacts, and that the project is expected to generate over $38 million annually in franchise fees for the City of Burgin and its schools.
Mercer County Judge-Executive Sarah Steele confirmed the Fiscal Court has reviewed all public input and testimony, including extensive recommendations from Shaker Village's attorney. Steele reiterated that the county has not yet received any formal data center proposals or applications, and the moratorium remains in place while the Fiscal Court considers the proposed zoning ordinance.