Maysville forms committee to recommend use of data center funds

The Maysville City Council held a special meeting to address the formation of a nine-member committee. This committee is tasked with overseeing the Community Benefit Agreement with the Northern Data/Rumble data center, which will provide $15 million for local projects. The committee's role will be to discuss potential projects and present recommendations to both the company and city officials. The committee consists of five citizens, two city council members, one planning and zoning member, and one Downtown Development Authority member. Citizens present at the meeting debated the committee's composition, with some arguing for greater citizen representation.

The meeting also featured an hour of public comment, predominantly focused on the Northern Data/Rumble data center. Residents expressed strong opposition, raising concerns about the city's water supply, decibel levels from the existing data center, and the effectiveness of a 180-day moratorium on new data center developments that was approved by the city council on July 16. One citizen questioned the lack of action since the moratorium was enacted, to which city officials responded that the planning commission has been directed to review land use management codes for recommended changes related to data centers. There was also discussion about contracting a private company or training a city employee to test decibel levels.

Separately, Mayor Richard Presley addressed concerns about water quality, stating that the city is awaiting EPD approval for a new well. Budget discussions for 2027, the original purpose of the meeting, saw little progress due to a lack of complete audit information, leading to frustration among council members. Councilman Brodriche Jackson criticized the budget meeting, citing the need for more data. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn, reflecting the lack of resolution on several key issues.