Data centers are ‘necessary’ but shouldn’t burden residents, Knox County mayor says

Data centers are ‘necessary’ but shouldn’t burden residents, Knox County mayor says

News ClipWVLT·Knoxville, Knox County, TN·7/9/2026

Knox County, Tennessee, is actively developing clear, long-term regulations for data center development, a process Mayor Glenn Jacobs calls a priority. The Knox County Commission has enacted a pause on data center permits until these new rules are established. Mayor Jacobs emphasizes the need to balance the essential nature of data centers with limiting their impact on residents.

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Gov: Knox County Mayor, Knox County Commission

Knox County, Tennessee, led by Mayor Glenn Jacobs, is prioritizing the creation of comprehensive, long-term regulations for data center development. The Knox County Commission has instituted a temporary pause on data center permits, a measure Mayor Jacobs deems