Here's where some counties in the region stand on data centers, crypto mining

Tennessee is ripe for data center development, in the eyes of developers. Whether or not residents and local governments will welcome them is less certain. Tennessee is at a "critical point" for crafting policy around data center development, according to a report from ThinkTennessee, a nonprofit think tank focused on state issues. Data centers have already contributed to overall growing electricity demand in the state after about a decade of flat demand. That demand — and costs along with it — are expected to keep rising. Northeast Tennessee residents have protested specific crypto mining developments in the region by halting the operation of an existing facility or trying to keep them from being constructed at all. There are about 63 data centers across the state, according to Data Center Map, which tracks data center development across the country. It's not as high as other states in the U.S. that have up to several hundreds of developments. Most of the data centers in Tennessee are concentrated around more metropolitan areas like Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. But most new data centers in the U.S. are coming to rural areas — about 67% of planned data centers are in rural areas, according to a Pew Research Center data analysis from April. Here are actions some counties and municipalities across the region have taken related to data center development: Washington County The Washington County Commission approved a one-year moratorium on data centers and crypto mining in March. The city of Johnson City is working to update their zoning code and noise ordinance to include more regulatory steps for data center developments. Zoning code updates were approved in a first round of voting in early June. City staff said they are working on noise ordinances to regulate noise and vibration. Jonesborough's Board of Mayor and Alderman approved a zoning ordinance in May that defines data centers and cryptocurrency mining and requires projects to submit an application outlining aspects of the development, which must be approved by the BMA. The BMA had previously passed a two-year moratorium on data centers in October 2025. Unicoi County Erwin's Board of Mayor and Alderman implemented a moratorium on data centers in October 2025. In a Pew survey from this year, more Americans — about 30 to 40% — said data centers have a negative effect on the environment, home energy costs and people's quality of life nearby. That's compared to the 4 to 6% that said they would have a positive effect on those factors. However, the survey also shows Americans are more likely to say data centers would have positive economic-related effects like local jobs and tax revenue. Jorgelina Manna-Rea is a Report for America corps member reporting on issues relating to the environment. Sullivan County The Sullivan County Commission approved a zoning amendment in June that would require data centers and energy processing to be in a specific district in an industrial park. The commission approved a four-month moratorium in January and in April extended the moratorium to end in January 2027. Kingsport's Board of Mayor and Alderman approved new zoning rules for data centers and crypto mining operations in January. It includes location and noise standards for any proposed developments in the city. Bristol's Tennessee City Council approved a two-year moratorium on data centers October 2025. Hawkins County The Hawkins County Commission voted to ban data centers and crypto mining September 2025 after ExoticRidge Crypto Company planned to build an operation near Bulls Gap. Hawkins County does not have zoning, and cited authority from the County Powers Act for the ban. ExoticRidge has since filed a lawsuit against the county. Surgoinsville's Board of Mayor and Aldermen defined and prohibited cryptocurrency mining centers and artificial intelligence training facilities in April. They're prohibited within 1,000 feet of a residential area. Mount Carmel's Board of Mayor and Aldermen banned cryptocurrency mines and data centers on Thursday. Jorgelina Manna-Rea is a Report for America corps member reporting on issues relating to the environment.