Locals, officials discuss Project River following public meeting Tuesday

Local residents and some elected officials are continuing to discuss an $11.3 billion industrial development proposed for Bradley County. Project River would include an on-site biomass and natural gas power plant, and a possible data center or another industrial project at a later date.

As we have covered here on WCLE, a meeting was held Tuesday night at the PIE Center for the public to receive information from the developers.
 
Three elected officials weighed in on the proposal on social media yesterday.

State Senator J. Adam Lowe, who lives across the river from the proposed development, says he has deliberately tried to separate his personal concerns as a nearby resident from his responsibilities as a state official.

Lowe said, “No one at the state of Tennessee level currently has the authority to stop development on private property that is done lawfully.”

He says the decision over annexation rests with Cleveland City Council, while his role as state senator is to ensure state laws and environmental regulations are followed.

Lowe acknowledged the project could personally impact his family and neighbors, but said it would be improper to use his elected position to influence a local decision for his own benefit. He encouraged residents to take their concerns to local elected officials.

Cleveland City Councilman Duane Goff also posted on social media criticizing the behavior of some in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

Goff said people repeatedly talked, yelled and heckled speakers, adding, “Disagreement is healthy. Disrespect is not.”

Much of the frustration at the meeting came from residents who wanted to directly question the panel. Attendees were instead asked to submit questions electronically using a QR code, with selected questions read by a moderator.

Goff encouraged residents to continue asking hard questions, but to listen to the answers and treat others respectfully.

Bradley County General Sessions Judge Clay Collins, meanwhile, has publicly come out against the proposed project.

Collins said it was clear to him that the “vast majority” of residents at the meeting opposed the data center and biomass power plant, with concerns ranging from pollution and traffic to the project’s impact on the community.

Collins defended residents who have been outspoken, saying, “It isn’t ‘uppity’ to ask questions and get annoyed when those questions aren’t and/or can’t be answered.”

He said elected officials should be listening to their constituents and, while acknowledging that project supporters see potential benefits for Bradley County, Collins said, “I strongly disagree.”