PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Following Friday’s announcement that the City of Pikeville is currently in negotiations with MD Squared Energy over that company’s proposal to build a $250 million data center in the city’s Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park, the two men running to be Pikeville’s next mayor have issued statements about where they stand on the issue.
Those statements are reprinted below.
BOB SHURTLEFF
As many of you have seen, the Pikeville City Commission has entered into an agreement to explore the possibility of a data center at the Industrial Park – well away from residential areas.
This agreement does not approve a project. It simply allows us to gather information, ask questions, hear public concerns, and determine whether it would be in Pikeville’s best interest.
As both a City Commissioner and a candidate for Mayor, I want to be clear about where I stand.
There are two issues that are non-negotiable for me:
1. If a project would increase electric rates for Pikeville residents, I will not support it. I will oppose it.
2. If a project relies on a water-cooling system that places a burden on our water treatment or distribution infrastructure, I will not support it. I will oppose it. Any proposal must utilize a closed-loop system.
These are my biggest concerns, as well as concerns I’ve heard the most from citizens, and they are understandable.
In addition, if a company promises 40 jobs and fails to deliver, there should be accountability. I will advocate for provisions requiring the value of those unfilled positions to be paid and invested back into our community.
I want transparency and public involvement. That is why the City issued a public media release in the early stages of these discussions. I want citizens to have the facts and ask the tough questions.
Exploring an opportunity does not mean accepting it. We will examine every option for creating jobs and growing our economy in a way that protects Pikeville.
STEVE HARTSOCK
My Public Statement on the Proposed Data Center:
First and foremost, Pikeville has been my home my entire life. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as a City Commissioner and to be a candidate for Mayor of this great city. I take seriously the trust that the citizens of Pikeville place in me, and I am proud to help make decisions that impact our community and our daily lives.
If there is one thing the people of Pikeville can always count on, it is that I will consistently put the best interests of our city and its citizens first. With that said, as many of you know, the City has to communicate with MD Squared LLC and has entered into a preliminary agreement to explore and better understand what a data center of this magnitude could potentially bring to our community.
As the City has already announced, no property has been transferred and nothing has been sold. MD Squared LLC, the developer, and the City of Pikeville have a 120-day period to communicate, negotiate, and determine whether this project is the right fit for all parties involved.
I understand the concerns many people have regarding the possibility of a data center in our region. I share some of those concerns and have several important questions that I believe must be answered before any final decision is made.
One promise I will always keep as a City Commissioner and mayoral candidate is this: I will always be a voice for the people, and I will never compromise the future of our beautiful city. The citizens of Pikeville will always come first.
Some of the key questions I want answered include:
• Electricity Costs: One of my primary concerns is ensuring that the data center and its operators are responsible for purchasing the electricity they require and that the financial burden is not passed on to the citizens of Pikeville through higher utility rates.
• Water Usage and Cooling Systems: I want a clear understanding of the cooling systems that would be used at the facility. Data centers utilize different cooling methods, and I want to ensure that our water resources can adequately support any proposed operation.
• Wastewater and Environmental Impact: I want detailed information regarding wastewater management. Will the cooling systems recirculate water, or will they require a constant supply of fresh water? Will any wastewater be discharged, and if so, where? Most importantly, I want to understand any potential environmental impacts on our rivers, streams, and surrounding ecosystem.
• Job Creation and Accountability: We have been told the project could bring approximately 190 construction jobs and 40 full-time positions. Those are significant commitments, and I believe the company should be held accountable for meeting those projections. If promises are made, there should be mechanisms in place to ensure they are fulfilled.
A $250 million investment in our community would certainly be significant and could provide meaningful economic opportunities. However, I want to be clear: I will never place financial gain ahead of the safety, health, and well-being of our citizens.
The creation of 40 full-time jobs, especially if they offer competitive wages and benefits, would not only support 40 individuals but also 40 families. Job opportunities are desperately needed in our region, and our industrial park was designed to attract businesses that can create employment and economic growth. Opportunities like these could also help keep our younger generations here at home, allowing them to build careers and raise families in Pikeville.
Before I can support any proposal, I want a full understanding of both the benefits and the potential drawbacks. I want clear answers regarding water usage, wastewater management, environmental impacts, and how AEP can provide the necessary power without increasing costs for our residents.
Like many of you, I still have questions. I approach this process with an open mind and a commitment to gathering all the facts before making any decision. Above all else, I will continue to put the interests of the citizens of Pikeville first.
Thank you for taking the time to read this statement and for staying engaged in the future of our community.
