Resident urges White County to study restrictions on AI facilities; commission asks legal counsel to research options

A resident told the White County Commission that she wanted a firm commitment to place restrictions on potential AI-related facilities — such as data centers, AI “factories” and crypto-mining operations — and to require public notice, impact disclosure, bonding for decommissioning and limits on tax abatements.

The speaker warned of "net negative" local effects, citing potential job loss, large infrastructure needs for water and electricity, utility-rate increases, noise and water pollution, and falling land values. She asked the commission to create a protocol ensuring county-level review and community notice before such projects locate in the county.

Commissioners responded that counties have limited authority under state law to impose zoning-like controls outside established zoning powers. The county executive and other members said cities have broader ordinance-making authority while counties are constrained to actions authorized by the General Assembly. Commissioners agreed to ask the county attorney and the executive’s office to research legal pathways — including statutes other counties have used — and to bring recommended options and model ordinances or resolutions back to the next meeting.

During the exchange, one commissioner disputed the claim that he was negotiating data-center deals, saying his reference was to manufacturing. A different speaker named Denny Wayne was mentioned in the discussion as someone tracking possible deals regionally.

The commission did not take formal action beyond directing staff to gather legal guidance and examples from other counties. The item will appear again on a future agenda after the county attorney reports on the committee’s legal options.