The future of the proposed data center in Christian County is now uncertain after the withdrawal of a separate power plant project in Pawnee.  Bryan Sharp, chairman of the Christian County Board, shared the updates at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.  It took place at the Taylorville High School cafeteria due to high attendance and a large number of public commenters.  Sharp says the proposed data center was contingent on the power plant project being completed. 

Taylorville Daily News intends to confirm with Sharp what this means for the potential data center’s prospects.

Eleven public commenters spoke out against the proposal of the data center.  Many of them live within two miles of the proposed site.  John Fahl was among them; he called on board members to consider the implications of their potential vote on those who would be most affected.

Maureen Tarrant and Sarah McKavetz also spoke, urging board members to listen to the concerns of those who voted for them. 

Board Chairman Bryan Sharp’s aforementioned update came in remarks he delivered in the latter part of Monday’s meeting, lasting close to a half-hour.  He said while he is not advocating for the data center, he is taking into account the decrease in employment numbers within the county over the last quarter-century. 

Separate from the data center-related discussions, the board tabled a vote on a proposed kratom ban over concerns on the scope of the ban.  The Christian County Health Department’s board voted in May to propose a kratom ban ordinance.

The Christian County Board voted to approve purchases related to time tracking and scheduling for county employees, along with a state-mandated percentage increase for the state’s attorney, public defender, and Sheriff.  The next Christian County Board meeting is set for Tuesday, August 18.