Grassroots coalition opposes proposed Mammoth Cave-area data center

What This Story Is About

• A coalition of residents near Mammoth Cave is organizing to oppose a proposed data center they say would be built on land riddled with sinkholes and inhabited by an endangered cave shrimp species.

Why It Matters

• The project would sit near Angie Herald’s farm, and residents say it threatens the sinkhole-laden land, an endangered species, and the quiet character of the area.

What Happens Next

• The coalition’s next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Water Mill Restaurant, where members plan to continue organizing committees to build their case.

For Context

• Cave City Mayor, Dwayne Hatcher, declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation over the city’s data center moratorium.

BARREN COUNTY, Ky. (WBKO) - A grassroots effort is growing to oppose a possible data center near Mammoth Cave. People who live closest to the proposed project say they are not going to back down.

Angie Herald has spent nearly her whole life on the farm.

“We’ve lived on this farm around 100 acres and we’ve lived there. Well, I’ve lived there almost all my life. I have a business. My dad has a business,” Herald said.

A company wants to build a data center just across the railroad tracks from her property. Herald said the latest site plans put the project in her backyard.

Neighbors form coalition

Neighbor, Jessie Crabtree, helped form a coalition of concerned residents with one goal: stop the project entirely.

“I mean, this is Angie’s home. Look at the property. It’s beautiful. Her home’s beautiful. It’s just peaceful. It’s quiet. I can’t even imagine a data center being there,” Crabtree said.

The group says it has identified 37 sinkholes on the proposed site. Members are also pointing to an endangered species as part of their case.

“We have two strategies. One is the cave shrimp, which is the 2025 cave animal of the year for the United States. And it’s an endangered species. It only lives only in Mammoth Cave in eight underground basins,” Crabtree said.

Coalition builds support

Crabtree said nearly 40 people showed up to the coalition’s first meeting. The group is now forming committees to continue building its case.

“This is their home, their farmlands and so forth. And they spoke up and each one told their own story,” Crabtree said.

The next coalition meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Water Mill Restaurant.

WBKO reached out to Cave City Mayor, Dwayne Hatcher. He said, “No comment,” citing ongoing litigation over the city’s data center moratorium.

Reaction online has been mainly against the data center. However, some commenters say they don’t oppose data centers as long as utility costs don’t rise. Others say they would support one if it’s properly regulated.