Carroll County authorizes deputy judge to sign letter enabling DECA data center to pursue state incentives

Carroll County Fiscal Court voted on June 24 to authorize Deputy Judge Mike Humphrey to sign a letter to the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) that enables DECA Companies to begin applying for state sales-tax incentives for a proposed data-center project.

County presenter Matt told the court the letter is limited to allowing DECA to start the state incentive application and does not constitute county approval of the project's siting, local incentives, or zoning. "This letter is not approving or disapproving of the data center located in Carroll County," Matt said, adding that the county does not have the authority to ban the project and that the state incentive package includes community protections such as an independent economic impact study, a strategic plan to protect the community, and a decommissioning plan.

Matt said DECA has met with local leaders and residents and plans additional community meetings over the next two days. He emphasized the state incentive process will require ongoing community engagement.

On motion and second, the court authorized Deputy Judge Mike Humphrey to sign the letter, allowing DECA to begin the application process. The court recorded the authorization by voice vote in the meeting transcript; no roll-call tally is recorded.