Are data centers coming to Warren County? Lawmaker speaks out
Residents in McMinnville and Warren County are opposing a proposed data center, while state Rep. Aftyn Behm warned that Tennessee lawmakers could override local restrictions through state pre-emption. McMinnville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen enacted an 18-month moratorium on accepting data center applications within the city.
Tennessee state Rep. Aftyn Behm warned McMinnville residents that the Republican-controlled General Assembly could seek to pre-empt local ordinances governing data center development. Her remarks came as Warren County residents object to a proposed data center in McMinnville and as state leaders have asserted control over local airport authorities in Nashville and Chattanooga, actions that are being challenged in federal court.
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on data center applications within the city limits on June 9. Mayor Ryle Chastain opposed removing local decision-making authority, while House candidates Samantha Petit and Paul Sherrell said local officials and residents should influence any future state decision on pre-emption. Behm predicted that data center pre-emption could become a major issue in the next legislative session.