White County Executive reviews legal options after proposed data center bypasses local ban
A proposed data center or data mining facility in White County, Tennessee, is proceeding despite a county-wide ban enacted on July 20. White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson is currently reviewing legal options to prevent or limit the project, stating that county officials were unaware of and did not approve any related infrastructure.
White County, Tennessee, is facing a challenge from a proposed data center or data mining facility that appears to be circumventing a county-wide ban on such facilities, which was enacted on July 20. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson stated that neither he nor the White County Commission was informed about the project before it became public.
Robinson clarified that the county did not approve, authorize, fund, or sign off on any required infrastructure improvements for the site. He also refuted any suggestions that county officials were aware of or assisted in recruiting the project. He explained that while parcels under five acres require limited county approval for specific criteria like road access and utilities, the property in question is larger than five acres and did not necessitate Planning Commission approval.
The County Executive emphasized that White County Government does not control or approve the sale or transfer of private property, which is protected under law. Robinson is now actively exploring all available legal options to prevent or limit the proposed development. White County Commissioners are scheduled to meet on Monday, August 17.