Gallatin, Tennessee, Considers Data Center Moratorium Amid Resident Concerns
The city of Gallatin, Tennessee, is grappling with the impacts of a Meta hyperscale data center, its largest taxpayer. Residents express concerns about water and electricity usage, environmental effects, noise, and property values. The Gallatin Planning Commission has recommended a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications, which the City Council will consider.
In Gallatin, Tennessee, the presence of a Meta hyperscale data center, reportedly the city's largest taxpayer, has sparked a debate among residents and local officials regarding its impact on the community. Lisa Autry from the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom investigated the situation in Gallatin, highlighting resident concerns that echo similar issues faced by other communities in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Residents living near the Meta campus on Brights Lane, such as Elizabeth Holmes, reported significant disturbances during the construction phase, including house-shaking blasts, for which she received a $2,500 settlement from Facebook in exchange for not suing. Currently, the most noticeable impact is a constant low hum at night, leading Holmes to speculate about its effects on local wildlife. Five homes have been sold near the data center since Meta's arrival two years ago, with three more currently on the market.
The Meta campus spans 900 acres with four buildings totaling 1.7 million square feet. Utility records from 2025 indicate the Gallatin facility used over 53 million gallons of water, representing about 2% of the city's total water consumption. City Councilman Pascal Jovants expressed concern over this volume, while Mayor Paige Brown contended that residential sprinklers during peak summer months sometimes exceed Meta's water use and assured that the city's agreement with Meta would not compromise other customers. The data center's energy consumption, estimated at 300 megawatts per day at full buildout, is considered confidential by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Meta's electricity provider.
Despite Meta being a major revenue contributor to the city and county, critics argue there's a lack of transparency regarding its financial contributions. In response to growing concerns, the Gallatin Planning Commission has recommended a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications, a proposal the City Council is slated to consider later this month.