Data centers in Hopkinsville? Officials share plan to protect city’s infrastructure
Hopkinsville officials are drafting amendments to their zoning code to establish guidelines for potential future data center developments, focusing on land, energy, and water usage. This proactive measure aims to protect city infrastructure, as no data center companies are currently actively pursuing projects in the area.
Hopkinsville city officials, led by Mayor James R. Knight and Community Development Services (CDS), are proactively developing regulations to manage potential future data center developments. During a recent Hopkinsville City Council meeting on June 2, Councilmember Chuck Crabtree initiated a discussion on the need for ordinances to protect city infrastructure from high-impact developments like data centers. Mayor Knight confirmed that he is already working with CDS to establish guidelines that would restrict land, energy, and water consumption for future developers.
Tom Britton from CDS highlighted the significant electricity demand of data centers, noting that some can use as much power as a city of 50,000 residents. He also mentioned that local industrial sites, while having land, lack the necessary infrastructure and are constrained by TVA for energy. Currently, no data center companies are actively pursuing projects in Hopkinsville, though there were brief discussions a year prior.
CDS is drafting amendments to the Hopkinsville Zoning Code, with an anticipated public hearing and presentation to the city council for approval within 90-100 days. These amendments are expected to be similar to an existing ordinance for solar energy systems, including requirements for different-sized developments. Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam also emphasized the county's need to prepare for potential inquiries, ensuring developers have the capital for necessary infrastructure, after learning about varying developer capacities from other county leaders.