Franklin planners table data center proposal until February

FRANKLIN, Ky. (WNKY) – A proposed multi-billion-dollar data center project in Franklin is on hold after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted to table a preliminary development plan Tuesday until February 5.

The proposal, submitted by TenKey LandCo I LLC, calls for a Franklin–Simpson Data Storage and Service Center consisting of three large facilities built over several years on more than 200 acres near Exit 2 of Interstate 65. Each facility would represent an estimated $1.6 billion investment, with the potential to bring 100 to 200 jobs paying between $80,000 and $100,000 annually, according to a press release received by News 40 on January 16.

Project leaders stressed this preliminary vote did not approve construction or the project itself, but instead delayed a decision on whether the plan should move forward to the next stage of the review process.

Attorney Gregory Dutton, who represents TenKey LandCo, said his team was disappointed by the decision but remains optimistic.

“We’re certainly disappointed with the result, with the fact that the commission tabled the vote for another meeting,” Dutton said. “There were a lot of very thoughtful questions from the public tonight. The absolute best way to address those questions is to move this project forward through the preliminary development phase.”

Dutton said the company plans to return for the February 5 meeting and continue working through the process.

A major point of discussion during the meeting centered on a recently passed county ordinance 440.70, that would require certain large-scale technology and energy projects to obtain additional approval. Dutton argued the ordinance does not apply to this project because the proposed site is within the city limits of Franklin.

“Our proposed project is located in the city jurisdiction of the city of Franklin,” Dutton said. “Therefore, the county ordinance has absolutely no authority over this project.”

Simpson County Judge-Executive Mason Barnes disagreed, saying the county believes the ordinance does apply.

“The city of Franklin is not outside the boundaries of Simpson County,” Barnes said. “They are within the scope of Simpson County. And the ordinance says that all areas in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county will be subject to this ordinance.”

Barnes said he does not expect much to change before the February meeting.

City Commissioner Kelly Bush said he supports the decision to table the plan, citing concerns about unanswered questions and how the project would fit into the community.

“I feel like the planning and zoning board did the right thing by tabling this,” Bush said. “There’s just too many questions and not enough answers.”

Some residents who attended the meeting also welcomed the delay. Jasmine Butt, who organized a petition opposing the project, said she remains concerned about environmental impacts and transparency.

“A lot of it has to do with the environmental cost of it, not just for us right now, but for our children and our grandchildren,” Butt said. “I feel like we should value neighbors over money.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to revisit the preliminary development plan at its February 5 meeting, where members will again decide whether the proposal should move forward to the next phase of the approval process.