Members of a southern Kentucky community have concerns about a data center coming to town.

They're pushing back, and the developers have now filed a lawsuit.

Our Laura Rogers has more from Simpson County.

I've seen a lot of changes in my lifetime here.

Those changes could include a new data center and sensing county.

But Judge executive Mason Barnes says many residents aren't sold on the idea.

They really would prefer not to have the data center here at all, but they most definitely want there to be certain guidelines and restrictions if they are allowed to locate here.

That would come in the form of a conditional use permit, which would give local government more control over how the data center would operate.

They don't believe that the county has the ability to implement that ordinance, and we believe we absolutely do have that ability.

That's dinky Lanco, who purchased the land once home to a mulch operation close to Franklins Exit two on I-65.

The problem with that spot is just just like the whole area of Kentucky.

We're a very cause topology.

Everywhere you see a dip in the ground.

There's a likelihood that that could eventually be a sinkhole that goes into a cave system.

Kelly Bush serves on the Franklin City Commission.

He's opposed to the project.

Everybody thinks, well, we're going to get all this tax revenue from it, and that's just not the case.

Well, it's going to bring in jobs.

Well, that's just not the case.

We do not understand the long term effects on the community, our health or the environment from these types of facilities.

Bush is worried about how the facility will generate power.

The plan is to use onsite natural gas turbines.

And for my understanding is that each of these turbine generators is going to sound like a jet engine taking off.

Any noise, would have to be attenuated or reduced, at the property line as per the city ordinances.

John Henning, as a consulting engineer on the project and says he understands residents concerns.

We're not at the phase of designing the full project yet.

So a lot of the concerns that the residents are bringing up at this stage, we haven't even begun the design to address, but those are all items that will be addressed.

Tinky Lanco is now filed a lawsuit against Samsung County challenging the ordinance.

They say county government doesn't have the legal authority to impose conditions on developments within Franklin City limits, which has its own rules.

I feel like I have an obligation and a responsibility to look out for our community, to be sure we're protecting our citizens, our environment.

Genki Lanco ultimately wants to build three 200,000 square foot facilities.

They say each would represent a more than $1 billion investment and employ up to 200 workers, with estimated tax revenue contributions of more than $17 million.

I just think it makes absolutely no sense to allow this type of activity to come and not place some sensible, reasonable conditions upon their activity.

And I have no one personally who has said that if they end up getting development and plans and continuing to go forward with it, they will move.

Lifelong Franklin resident Jasmine Butts started a petition that's collected more than 1500 signatures from people who do not want the project to proceed.

She's not the only one getting feedback.

I've got people calling my cell phone, my political number.

They're texting me on Facebook, on messenger.

Many of those same residents have showed up to public meetings about the project.

Counsel for ten, Keelan Cole said the best way to get the answers people want is to approve the application and move the project forward into the full development plan process, which will include numerous investigations, studies and assessments to make sure the project meets all requirements.

Ultimately, both the developer and the community and the council want to make sure that the land is protected, the residents are protected and that's the that's the end goal for everyone.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you so much, Laura.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet tomorrow night for more discussion on the development plan.

Simpson County Fiscal Court has asked them to put the project on hold until pending litigation litigation rather is resolved.