Community group holds strategy meeting in opposition to Lexington data center sale
A community group in Lexington, Kentucky, is actively opposing the sale of the former Lexmark data center to DartPoints Operating Company. Residents are raising concerns about potential impacts on noise, property values, and electricity costs, and are organizing to prevent future data center developments in the city.
The former Lexmark data center on New Circle Road in Lexington, Kentucky, has been sold to DartPoints Operating Company, a Dallas-based firm with plans to expand its operations in Lexington. This acquisition has sparked significant community pushback, leading to the formation of the group "No Kentucky Data Centers." On Monday evening, the group held a strategy meeting to mobilize residents against future data center developments.
Senator Reggie Thomas, who previously served on the Senate's AI Task Force, and sustainability expert Aaron Petri addressed the community. They emphasized the importance of educating and empowering residents, and holding companies accountable for their profits while ensuring communities and the planet do not suffer. Concerns raised include the 70-megawatt facility's potential noise impact, which could be heard over a mile away and affect property values, as well as the significant electricity demands.
DartPoints states its future campus will support 415 volts of power. However, attendees at the town hall, held at Zion Baptist Church, highlighted that additional electricity costs might be passed on to residents. The group has already gathered nearly 90 signatures at the event, adding to approximately 5,500 signatures collected since Thursday on a broader petition. Councilmember Tyler Burton, representing the affected district, confirmed he is incorporating community feedback into discussions with his colleagues and encourages residents to reach out to other council members.