Residents seek answers amid concerns over possible data center
Buchanan County officials are considering an unidentified energy project for the former Twin Valley High School property as neighbors seek answers about what could be developed there.
Officials have not identified the company interested in the property or confirmed what it wants to build. Some residents are concerned the proposal could involve a data center. Still, county representatives said they won’t make a decision until the company explains its plans publicly and residents have a chance to ask questions.
The proposal surfaced during the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors’ Sept. 14 meeting at the Buchanan County Government Center on Slate Creek.
A public hearing on a possible option for the former school property had been advertised but was postponed because the county has not received the deed from the Buchanan County School Board.
“In regard to an option on the Twin Valley High School property, we don’t have the deed yet, so we just kind of got ahead of our horses, and then we were premature on this,” board attorney Lee Moise said.
Moise said his understanding is that the proposal involves an industrial energy project that would develop and use Buchanan County’s natural gas resources in the Pilgrim Knob area.
“The understanding that I have is that, and I think the county has, is that this is going to be an energy project,” Moise said.
He emphasized that the proposal remains in its early stages.
“That’s all I know at this time,” Moise said. “And as I say, we’ve kind of got ahead of ourselves.”
County Administrator Craig Horn said the county plans to return to its normal economic development process. Under that procedure, the county would generally transfer property intended for industrial development to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority, which works with businesses and manages development projects for the county.
A public hearing on transferring the property to the IDA could be held at the supervisors’ November meeting, although no date has been finalized.
Horn said people interested in the property have indicated they want to invest in Buchanan County, create jobs and develop a project that converts energy into another product.
“We have got a commitment from the people who would like to work with Buchanan County to invest some money, create some jobs and take energy and turn it into something else,” Horn said.
He said the proposal could involve a substantial investment.
“But they are talking about some large investments,” Horn said. “And the majority of the investments are going to be related to energy.”
Horn said discussions have involved three potential energy sources.
“They’re either talking about coal, gas or electricity,” Horn said.
He did not say which source would be used, what it would be converted into or what the company might produce.
Some residents directly asked whether a data center could be built at the former school. County officials did not confirm or deny that possibility, saying they were not prepared to discuss the company’s specific plans.
Jim Brown, who lives beside the former school, was among those who approached the board seeking answers.
“Well, I’m James Brown,” he told supervisors. “I live right next door to the school.”
Brown said he and other neighbors are concerned because they would be directly affected by anything developed there.
“We live next door,” Brown said. “That’s the reason we’re so concerned.”
Residents also asked what type of business could locate on the property, whether the former school building could be demolished and what effect the project might have on the surrounding community.
Horn said those questions should be answered before the county takes action.
“My understanding is that that’s going to be a process, and the county will be involved in it, and you will at least know what they’re proposing before it happens,” Horn said.
Company representatives are expected to visit Buchanan County in October. Horn said they will first meet with county representatives and then attend a public meeting where residents can question them directly.
“They’re going to come down during October, and they’re going to meet with some of us,” Horn said. “And then they’re going to actually have another meeting for anybody in the public that wants to ask them questions before we vote in November to go forward or not to go forward.”
Horn said the company has agreed to provide more information before asking the county to decide.
“They are committed to coming in and being as frank as they can be about what they want to do before they do it,” Horn said. “But that’s not today. That’s probably going to be next month sometime.”
The county will announce the meeting date and give residents time to attend.
“We’ll let everybody know what it is and give them time to be there and ask all the questions they want to ask,” Horn said.
Garden District Supervisor and board Vice Chairman Jeff Cooper, who led the meeting in Chairman Tim Hess’ absence, assured residents that the process would be transparent.
“I’m still confident there will be full transparency prior to doing anything in that area,” Cooper said.
Cooper apologized to residents who had contacted him seeking information and acknowledged that the county advertised the hearing before officials were prepared to answer their questions.
“I don’t have an exact answer for you at this time,” Cooper said. “But I think next month you will have more insight into what that actually is.”
Existing mining activity could also affect how the property is developed. Officials noted that Coronado Global Resources has an interest in mineable coal near the former school.
“We know that a coal mine is very active in our area,” Cooper said. “We know that that mine is in that area.”
“That coal is mineable, and Coronado is interested in that as well,” Cooper said. “So that’s things that you have to consider at the same time.”
Cooper said he believes the proposal could benefit the community but cautioned that it remains preliminary.
“Other than it’s an energy project, I will say I think it’s definitely not going to be detrimental to the community,” Cooper said. “I think it will be a good thing. I think it will be OK.”
The county expects two public proceedings if the proposal advances. The first would allow company representatives to explain the project and answer questions. A later public hearing would address transferring the former school property to the IDA.
The supervisors took no action on Sept. 14. The postponed hearing will be advertised again after the county receives the deed and completes the necessary arrangements.
