St. Joseph works to ban data centers in city limits, Lawrenceburg to consider permits
St. Joseph is preparing to ban data centers within city limits to protect local water infrastructure and lifestyle, acting proactively before any applications. Meanwhile, the Lawrenceburg Planning Commission is set to vote on a permit for a data processing center proposed by Scale Point Tennessee.
NewsChannel 5 reports on a tale of two cities in Lawrence County, Tennessee, where two neighboring municipalities are taking different approaches to data center development. St. Joseph is moving to ban data centers within its city limits, while Lawrenceburg is considering permits for a new data processing facility.
St. Joseph city leaders are preparing an outright ban on data centers to protect the local water infrastructure and preserve their traditional way of life. For a city with fewer than 1,000 residents, officials believe the demands of data centers would far exceed the capacity of their existing infrastructure. This proactive measure is being taken before any applications are even filed, following rumors of a data center potentially coming to Southern Lawrence County.
In contrast, the Lawrenceburg Planning Commission has a vote scheduled today regarding a data processing center proposed by Scale Point Tennessee. The proposed facility would be located on Flat Woods Road. Lawrenceburg city leaders have reportedly not responded to NewsChannel 5's requests for interviews concerning the project, despite concerns raised by local residents. The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 PM.