Bradley County Residents Protest $11.3 Billion “Project River” Energy Campus

Dozens of Bradley County residents gathered over the weekend to protest the proposed $11.3 billion "Project River" energy campus, which developers say could host a large data center and an on-site power plant. The demonstration followed an unsatisfactory informational meeting where residents felt their questions about water usage, environmental impact, noise, air pollution, and tax incentives were not fully addressed.

Developers, including representatives from Wright Brothers Construction and Azure Energy, presented the project as a major industrial complex promising $11 billion in economic investments and 2,600 jobs, including for the logging industry. They plan to generate electricity primarily through natural gas (1,000 MW) and biomass (500 MW). While the complex is pitched for advanced manufacturing potentially including a data center, developers stressed that a data center is not yet an official plan or under contract.

Project River requires rezoning and annexation approval from the Cleveland City Council to secure municipal water and sewer services. The Cleveland Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the annexation request on September 15. Local resident Isaiah Bayliss organized a silent protest to visually demonstrate community opposition, arguing the project will significantly impact the area regardless of political alignment. Mitchell Simpson, CEO of Wright Brothers Construction, maintains the project will benefit the community with jobs and property tax dollars, but many residents remain unconvinced, reflecting broader Tennessean skepticism towards data center developments and tax incentives.