Blount County Commission approves resolutions for Parkway extension, former ALCOA South Plant site acquisition
Blount County Commission approved resolutions for property acquisition, including the former ALCOA South Plant site, which was previously considered for a data center joint venture. The county also voted in June to request tougher zoning regulations for data centers outside city limits following public outcry, though these changes would not affect the South Plant site if approved. The acquisition of the South Plant site by the IDB is partly intended to prevent an undesirable development, likely a data center, from proceeding.
The Blount County Board of Commissioners held its July meeting, approving two multi-million dollar resolutions amidst significant public opposition. One resolution authorizes an $8 million county contribution towards a $20 million agreement for the Industrial Development Board (IDB) to purchase 162 acres of the former ALCOA South Plant site. This site was previously identified by ALCOA as a potential location for a data center joint venture.
Following public outcry against the potential data center, the Blount County Commission voted in June to request tougher zoning regulations for data centers and crypto-currency mining operations from the county's Planning Commission. However, if approved, these changes would only apply to areas outside city limits and would not impact the Aluminum Avenue 100 tract within Alcoa city limits. Bryan Daniels, CEO of Blount Partnership (which oversees the IDB), indicated that the IDB's acquisition of the South Plant site is intended to preempt undesirable alternative projects, with active bidders for the property that the community would not favor. The IDB already holds an unusual Brownfield Agreement for the site, insulating future owners from environmental concerns. The South Plant agreement has now completed its approval process through Blount County government's legislative branch, with city councils of Alcoa and Maryville also approving their respective commitments.