Despite strong opposition, plans for a data center moves forward in Lawrenceburg
The Lawrenceburg Planning Commission unanimously approved site plans for a data center despite strong community opposition. Residents have launched an online petition for a moratorium and expressed concerns at a public hearing. Little information is known about the project due to city leaders' lack of response.
The Lawrenceburg Planning Commission has unanimously approved site plans for a proposed data center, despite significant community opposition. Residents have expressed strong disapproval, with an online petition calling for a moratorium on the project garnering over 7,000 signatures, a substantial number given the city's population of approximately 14,000.
Tensions ran high during a public hearing, where many residents waited in the heat to speak as the meeting room had reached capacity. A representative from Lawrenceburg Utility Systems stated the project is a 4.9-megawatt data center that would utilize a closed-loop water system, initially drawing 20,000 gallons of water and then about 40 to 60 gallons daily. Critics believe city leaders had already made up their minds before the meeting, and NewsChannel 5 reports that little information is publicly known about the project as city leaders have not responded to information requests.